Famous Inspirational Poem

Caged Bird By Maya Angelou was first published in her book, "Shaker, Why Don't You Sing?" in 1983. The poem is a Metaphor illustrating the differences between African-Americans and Whites during the civil rights era. The author, a black woman who grew up in the South during this era, is expressing her feelings at the discrimination she faced during her life. Her first autobiography published in 1970 is titled, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"

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I remember this poem from my guided reading class in 5th grade. I remember it well. This poem really touched me, and reading it again just made my day. This poem, I remember it being about...

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Analysis of Form and Technique

Famous Poem

Caged Bird

Maya Angelou By more Maya Angelou

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

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Analysis of Form and Technique

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Techniques this poem uses:

  • One of the stanzas is repeated, which brings attention to the idea of the caged bird singing for freedom.

    The caged bird sings
    with fearful trill
    of the things unknown
    but longed for still
    and his tune is heard
    on the distant hill for the caged bird
    sings of freedom

    Read more about repetition in poetry
  • This poem uses a metaphor to compare caged birds to African Americans fighting for equality during the civil rights movement. Metaphors compare two objects or concepts without using the words "like" or "as."

    his wings are clipped and
    his feet are tied
    so he opens his throat to sing.

    for the caged bird
    sings of freedom.

    But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
    his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

    Read more about metaphors

More Poems with Analysis of Form and Technique

more Maya Angelou

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • Deena Wingard by Deena Wingard
  • 9 months ago

I admittedly have read "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" multiple times but was not aware of this poem. It is absolutely beautiful! Not only do I see it as a poem to inspire African Americans, but women as well; especially women of African descent.

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  • JAPHETH JONATHAN by JAPHETH JONATHAN
  • 4 years ago

I read this in school and now reading it again makes me want it more with love. This poem has really inspired me to write more poems.

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  • JuuzouSuzuya by JuuzouSuzuya
  • 6 years ago

This poem really inspires me, and every single time I read it I feel like crying. Crying for the trapped bird, for it will probably never see the outside world. It's too bad that Maya Angelou is no longer with us, as she was one of the best writers that ever lived.

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  • Alina Luck by Alina Luck
  • 6 years ago

This poem was just as it was labeled: inspirational. It emphasizes how much easier it was for whites than blacks, which shows us why we should treat all people better. Nobody should be treated like that. You don't want people to treat you like that, so why should you treat them like that?

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  • Arpita Mazumder by Arpita Mazumder
  • 7 years ago

To me, a town girl of twenty-one years, this exquisitely organized influential poem sounds like a hymn capable to eradicate the fear of the mind. Really the glory of freedom is untasted to someone who is in bondage; and it's also true that when one's limbs are shackled by SLAVERY the only way to express one's anguish, distress, or protest is to open one's mouth because silence does not defy one's significance then, but sometimes severe oppression makes the voice to tremble. Yet the voice, though not loud, does not lose all its strength; and gradually more voices join the trembling voice to strengthen it. In Maya Angelou's poem, the hope of the caged bird to be free becomes synonymous with the inspiration to achieve freedom of the African American freedom fighters. She emphasizes the journey here instead of the destination. The touching refrains enhance the optimistic attitude of the poet. She shows her skill again in inspiring the readers with some simple and homely words bound by a perfect harmony.

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  • Mallory E. Holt by Mallory E. Holt
  • 8 years ago

I remember this poem from my guided reading class in 5th grade. I remember it well. This poem really touched me, and reading it again just made my day. This poem, I remember it being about slavery.

Reply
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