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.

After reading the poem, think about the following questions:

1) Write down the first 5 things that come to your head when you think of 'Freedom'.

2) Name 3 things that the free bird thinks about.

3) What is the only thing that the caged bird thinks about? Why is this?

4) Why do you think she describes the bird's cage as having 'bars of rage'?

5) Describe 2 ways that the caged bird is prevented from being free.

6) Many people believe that this poem is based on the difficulties that Maya faced in her life because of the colour of her skin. Can you see any links between this poem and the struggles that black people face due to racism?

Final activity: After learning about Maya Angelou and reading the poem, create an illustration of the caged bird to go with the poem. Try to pick out the main themes and ideas from the poem and represent these in a piece of art. Below are some examples: