QUOTE FROM CAGED BIRD
“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.”
-Maya Angelou
Yes, caged you say
as he ambles narrow
and constrained way;
life straight as piercing arrow.
No bars can contain the joy
his sweet song doth bring.
Those flying free can’t deploy
the wonder that a caged bird sings.
What then is said
as freedom rings?
What tears are shed
to righteous King?
What cage does fade,
confinement is no grave?
What brings forth a shade
of petty paths to pave?
Now a freed bird drifts,
wanders place to place
follows as wild wind shifts;
has no room for Holy grace.
He’s heavily laden with his life
shadows veil his weary path;
steady sleet slices like a knife,
as weather strikes with wrath.
For only one path
for both to take,
it’s really simple math;
true to heart, not fake.
Whether free or in a cage
seek liberty from above.
Be freed from sinful rage;
find God’s sacrificial love.
-P. Wolf
“And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” Psalm 119:45
“As a civil rights activist, Angelou worked for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. She was also an educator and served as the Reynolds professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.”
My poem above is a response to Maya Angelou poem “Caged Bird” which was a challenge from another poetry group.
Patti Wolf 
This is incredibly deep and profound! I especially admire this part; “What then is said as freedom rings? What tears are shed to righteous King? What cage does fade, confinement is no grave? What brings forth a shade of petty paths to pave?” ❤️❤️
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I guess I had a day of deeper thinking. Thank you.
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Well written RseBud, I enjoyed it!
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Thanks
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Glad to.hear it
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Lovely rhymes!
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Thanks. I had fun.
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I do love the fact that there might be an option to find freedom yourself… why is then so that those bars of rage is so common in us all?
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Sometimes we’re our worse enemy
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Such a beautiful message you sent here… there is no confinement when you have faith. A wonderful message expertly woven into delicate lines. A great take on the prompt!
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Thank you
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What a stunning response to Angelou’s poem, Patti! I love the direct address to the poet, the rhyme scheme, her words and phrases deftly woven into your own, and the lines:
‘Now a freed bird drifts,
wanders place to place
follows as wild wind shifts’.
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Thanks Kim. I’ve been writing a lot. I have six published books, working on three and just published my poetry from this last year. Poetry comes the easiest and it my first love ☺️.
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For me too!
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So profound. I luv it.
Much💛love
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