Poem: Why the Caged Bird Sings

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