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World Poetry Month: Day Twenty-One
Today’s poetry is ‘Caged Birds’ a poem by Maya Angelou. Marguerite Johnson was born Maya Angelou in St. Louis, Missouri, and is an American poet, storyteller, activist, and autobiographer.
Angelou had a long and varied career as a singer, dancer, actress, director, writer, editor, essayist, playwright, and poet.
Besides serving as an activist for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, Angelou was an educator and Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.
As a spokesperson for people committed to improving moral standards in the United States, Angelou was recognized by Carol E.
Neubauer in Southern Women Writers: The New Generation by 1975. She served on two presidential committees in 1975, one for Gerald Ford and one for Jimmy Carter.
The National Medal of Arts was awarded to Angelou by President Bill Clinton in 2000. President Barack Obama awarded her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010, the highest civilian honor in the country.
Before her death, Angelou received over 50 honorary degrees. The poem ‘Caged Birds’ speaks of birds caged in a pet store, longing for the freedom of their home.
It is a moving reminder of the power of words and the importance of freedom. As Angelou says in her own words:
“A caged bird stands on the grave of dreams, his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream”.
This poem is a beautiful exploration of empathy and longing, and speaks to the desire for freedom that many feel.
It is also a reminder of how precious that freedom is once we have it, and how easily it can be lost.
We should always strive to remember our own freedom and appreciate it, just as the caged birds in this poem do.
Today’s poetry has been a great reminder to appreciate our freedoms and remember those who may not have that same privilege.
Take a moment today to recognize your own freedom and take a moment to think of those who may not have the same.
We should never lose sight of our privilege and always strive to share it with others in whatever way we can. Together, let’s make the world a better place!
Greetings and thank you for joining me on this journey of appreciation and understanding, with today’s poem ‘Caged Birds’ by Maya Angelou. Until next time!
Wishing you love and light throughout your days.
~Peace & Blessings~
Caged Birds’ a poem 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.
Prompts
if you go slow
अगर धीरे चलो
You May Like To Check Out
- World Poetry Month: Day One
- World Poetry Month: Day Two
- World Poetry Month: Day Three
- World Poetry Month: Day Four
- World Poetry Month: Day Five
- World Poetry Month: Day Six
- World Poetry Month: Day Seven
- World Poetry Month: Day Eight
- World Poetry Month: Day Nine
- World Poetry Month: Day Ten
- World Poetry Month: Day Eleven
- World Poetry Month: Day Twelve
#RNTalks
#RNTPoetrymonth
#RNTnapowrimo
अगर धीरे चलो
दुनिया रंग बदलती है हरदम
आज जो दिखता है , बदल जाता है कल
जो वक्त के साथ न चला
सदैव पीछे रह जाता है
अगर धीरे चला तो बहुत कुछ छूट जाता है
सरपट भागा अगर , तो भी
वक्त के सीमा से आगे निकल जाता है
अंधेरे में गुम हो जाता है
वक्त के साथ चलना सीखो
तभी विजय का सेहरा तुम्हारे माथे होगा
विजय – गीत तुम्हारे हक में होगा ।।
अगर धीरे चलो
समय की गति बड़ी है तेज,
तीव्रगामी है उसका वेग l
अगर धीरे चलो तो क्या पूरी
कर पाओगे जीवन की लम्बी रेस?
समय पे गर्मी समय पे वर्षा,
समय से आते सर्दी और वसंत l
अगर धीरे चलो तो कैसे पा सकते हो,
जीवन के अतुलित आनंद ?
समय के साथ तो चलना होगा
पीछे अगर रह गए तो ,
फिर हाथ मचलते रहना होगा l
जिंदगी कब फ़िसल जाएगी हाथ से,
यह कोई जान सकता नहीं,
धीरे न चलकर, गति बढ़ाओ l
जो कुछ तुमने चाहा है ,
उसे प्राप्त करते ही जाओ,
जीवन की सब खुशियाँ पाओ l