Research continued

A free bird leaps 

on the back of the wind   

and floats downstream   

till the current ends 

and dips his wing 

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 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. 

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.

'I know why the caged bird sings'

One of Angelou's famous poems is titled 'Caged Bird' which inspired her autobiography 'I know why the caged bird sings.' After reading it myself, the poem is about a bird trapped in a cage trying to escape. No matter how difficult it is to get out, the bird continues - 'his wings are clipped and his feet are tied'. The poem also compares this bird to another bird which is free and soaring through the sky. Personally i feel the trapped bird reflects Angelou's childhood and her struggle for acceptance, but with her constant persistence of trying. The other bird reflects something she wants to be, something she feels everyone should deserve - equality. The other bird could also represent the people who let her down and made her struggle, almost looking down on her and flying around the cage. This is such an inspirational poem and I feel it relates to anyone in life who has gone through something struggling or challenging but managed to keep going despite what anyone thinks, and stand up for what they believe in. I aim to create some visual imagery to communicate this poem.

I took her biography out the library and after reading it for a few hours, I noticed just how inspirational she is. It is written in such a heart felt empathising way you feel like you are really connected to her.