Today, actress, poet, and civil-rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou has passed away at age 86. She is one of the first poets I remember reading as a young child, and who gave me that surge of knowledge that her words were different, powerful, and beautiful. Here is my poem back to her*.
A Poem for the Birds
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
Bird! Do you see it?
The sunset colored just for you
the ripples in the new moon
bring back ocean tide, and true
dip down, fly high and swoon
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are chipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
Sing mightily and large, Bird
true songs only are sung here
no ropes or strings or chains
can suppress you, your trilling tears
your song will last; hope remains
The caged bird sings
with a 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.
Your door is now open,
your freedom is real
fly to your pinnacle
you'll reach it yet, still.
Bird, you're free now.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade wings soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
Not think, but do; you can, you will
go there, fly there, feast there, thrill
on the morning of every new day
You are free to fly as you please
Loop up, dive down, explore, roam, play
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are chipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
Not so, not here, no ties, no chains
can prison your tender legs
The cage door has been open
at last, you're free Bird! Fly!
No looking back.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of unknown things
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Let peace be in your breast
Your voice is free to sing
Join the chorus of all others now
let hope gained propel your wing.
Bird, you are free at last!
Fly home, Bird, to your King!
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