Why the Caged Birds Sing

This poem came into my email inbox this morning. I was so touched by it that I read it out loud to Russ and Damaris. I wanted to share it with yall and then I want to reflect about why it spoke to me below.

Why the Caged Birds Sing
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 suns 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.

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.

~~~~~

I feel alot like the caged bird right now. It seems that my dreams are but memories. I long for changes - in my health, in Russ' job situation, in our living situation, in my ability to minister. Will any of these changes come to pass? I long for them. I long for freedom!

Did this poem speak to you? I'd love to hear your responses below in my comments. Let's talk about this together please.