I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
(with Audacious Liberties by Toby)

The 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.

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 fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and is 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 wish to be free. My mind to be free but it is bound by chemicals I cannot name. It is bound by fears and wells of emotions I cannot rise above, on my own. At times, I have surrendered under the water. I have gasped for air while waves of heavy water lap at my face. My own emotions choke the life, they choke the "ME", out of my soul. It's like being in a giant cardboard box. Covered in foam peanuts for packing. Everything must filter through the maze of foam and in the center is the real me lying cocooned and safe behind the chaos. So they say I have a disease. A physical deformity that does not allow my mind to process emotions the same as you. So, I am crazy, I'm certifiable, I'm broken but that's okay. For like the caged bird, I did not forget about my true nature.... for isn't the caged bird like the free bird as well, Is he not a creature meant to give praise to God in all his glory? The caged bird may not be able to do the same things, his wings are broken and his feet are tied but he sings.... he sings and he is alive. I would rather be the caged bird and sing for my freedom then be the free bird and take it for granted.

I know I am tiresome. I know I hurt you although I can never seem to fathom how. The remorse I feel for the outburst I have are always sincere and always going to be there. I am a little broken but I cannot stop from opening my throat and singing. The cage door has been opened and I have been set out in a world where hope and possibility seem overwhelming but very welcomed. It will take many small steps to venture out where my brothers the free birds fly but I go, slowly and by the grace of god I take my first steps.

I know why the caged bird sings.... it sings for freedom. I am chained by the boundaries of managing an unforgiving and ever present illness but I am free nonetheless. Free to forgive myself for my not being quite ready to fly.... for you see I've been in a cage for 37 years. I believed my wings to be clipped, my feet to be bound, but with a little medicine and a little healing from tender loving caretakers.... I will heal. I might never fly very high. I might never get off the ground. But I will sing.... I will sing as I watch my sons soar in the air above me dipping their wings in the orange sun rays and they will hear my song as they fly through the sky.