Broken Hallelujah

I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS



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.





Ever feel trapped?