Last night, I sat and watched a recorded episode Oprah’s
Super Soul Sunday with Maya Angelou (part 2).
I love listening to Maya speak because she speaks lyrically ( I love her
word choices) and with such wisdom.
Within the last year, I finally read one of Maya’s books that has long
been on my list of books to read, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.” It was not what I expected but interesting
just the same.
I read the book with great anticipation to understanding the
title of the book. I wanted to know why
the caged bird sings. But, me and poetry
don’t get along. Nine times out of ten
(and I’m being generous) I don’t get the symbolism in poetry. I remember in high school freshman English
asking Ms. Clancy, “How do you know that poem isn’t really just about buildings
in a cityscape? Why does it have to have
a deeper meaning?” So, the caged bird
reference was no different for me.
But last night, Oprah asked Maya, “Why does the caged bird
sing?” Yay!! Maya answered, “Because it must.” She went on to explain that the free bird
sings of the things he does and can get but the caged bird sings his “fearful
trill” for the freedom his heart longs for.
The free bird takes for granted his freedom and all the trappings that
come with it but the caged bird sings his song so beautifully because it is his
heart’s deepest longing.
As I continue to look back over the journey of Kelsey’s
illness for the last three years, I recognize that in the times of the depths
of my despair, I was standing on “the grave of dreams.” But, unlike the caged bird, I didn’t open my “throat
to sing.” Instead, I resented losing
some of the things that I so took for granted: health, freedom to do what you
wanted and when, the gleam of life in my daughter’s eyes, and just plain ol’
normal life. I think, I hope, that this
is one of the areas that I have grown in my faith: to praise God all the time, especially
when I have to rise above my circumstances to do it.
The caged bird sings because he must. Because, the alternative is a pit of despair
and loneliness. Because, in his singing,
he is free.
I Know Why The Caged Bird
Sings
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
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.
