CAGED BIRD BY: Maya Angelou

A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends

5 and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage

10 can seldom see through his bars of rage
his wings are clipped, and his feet are tied
so, he opens his throat to sing.

15 The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
20 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
25 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
30 so he opens his throat to sing.

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

1. Discuss the form of the poem—elements such as meter, structure, sound devices, and rhyme scheme. How does the poem’s form contribute to its meaning?

2. What is the central juxtaposition in the poem? Compare and contrast the two things that the speaker juxtaposes. Discuss examples of the speaker’s diction that develop this contrast (e. g., “leaps” in line 1 and “stalks” in line 8). What metaphorical meaning(s) might the birds in the poem have?

3. Discuss the use of anthropomorphism in the poem. Why is this an effective way to explore the poem’s themes?