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 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.
Maya Angelou’s poem, Caged birds, talks about the racial injustices in today’s world. In the poem we are given two different lifestyles of birds, one is free and as for the other bird they are caged up. This is done to highlight the significant difference as to what they face day and out. The caged bird is described with negative words such as, “bars of rage”. This is done to focus upon the great suffering the bird has undergone. “A free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wings in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky.” The free bird is seen in a positive more fulfilling environment throughout the poem, this shows how the free bird feels jovial. The birds are used to show the difference between the black and white community of America, the caged being African Americans and the white as the free bird. As a Muslim, I have faced racism, being called slurs such as “terrorist”. I can relate with the caged bird, but to a certain extent as I have not experienced racism at such a level. Racism is still prevalent in today’s society and must be addressed.
Siren Song BY MARGARET ATWOOD
This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:
the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see the beached skulls
the song nobody knows
because anyone who has heard it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?
I don’t enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.
I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique
at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.
Siren Song by Margaret Atwood contains themes such as manipulation and deception. In the poem, men are lured by a creature who is seen as irresistible and mythical. Thus causing the men to be ultimately led to their deaths. ” I will tell the secret to you, to you, only to you. Come closer. This song is a cry for help: Help me! Only you, only you can, you are unique”. This portion of the poem outlines the great manipulation used to lure the men to the creature. Keywords such as “unique” are used to pursue the men into thinking they are special. This poetry can be interpreted as a personal experience. To make ourselves feel better, we frequently lie to ourselves, ultimately covering up the truth. This is employed to alleviate guilt or embarrassment for something done incorrectly, such as failing to meet expectations.
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