Dikt; I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings av 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.