The following poem addresses the lack of freedom experienced by those who suffer racial oppression.
Form small groups to read the poem aloud. Read the poem a minimum of two times, then discuss how the bird is represented throughout.
Caged Bird By Maya Angelou
A free bird leaps on the back of the wind and fl oats 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
