caged birds may not have freedom
but feel power inside their wings
with dreams of soaring through open skies
this is why the caged bird sings
all creatures are born in bondage
unaware they may not be free
ignorance means bliss in the early years
devoid of misery
each cage a different size and shape
some with more room to breathe or golden bars
that fool caged birds into songless nights
illuminated by the stars
then one morning the day arrives
when the cage door swings wide open
a curious bird cranes her neck
for the spell of the cage’s charm is broken
she leaves her perch
spreads her wings
taking flight for the very first time
ready to abandon this former life
up toward the heavens she climbs
but then fear sets in
and her stomach begins to ache
so she returns back to what she knows
simple for safety’s sake
this proves to be a costly mistake
as the cage door swings close
the possibility to escape is no longer open
she hangs her head in disbelief
for inside she feels so broken
but there beneath this tragedy
she discovers an indestructible song
filling her with the faith that freedom
could never be so far gone
now each day the cage
seems less enchanting
for she knows the world
holds so much more and
countless opportunities await for her
beyond that gilded door
caged birds may not have freedom
but feel power inside their wings
with dreams of soaring through open skies
this is why the caged bird sings
