Question

Caged Bird
By Maya Angelou
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.
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 tree
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.

What is the poet inviting us to experience? What is going on in this poem brief paraphrase

Answer 1

The poet is inviting us to experience the contrast between the freedom of a bird that can soar in the sky and the confinement and limitation of a bird kept in a cage. The poem explores the emotions and desires of both the free bird and the caged bird, highlighting the longing for freedom that the caged bird feels. The caged bird's song represents its yearning for liberation and serves as a metaphor for the human desire for freedom. Through this poem, the poet provokes us to reflect on the importance of freedom and the impact of confinement on the human spirit.