Sympathy, by Paul Laurence Dunbar

 

Sympathy

I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
And the river flows like a stream of glass;
When the first bird sings and the first bud opes,
And the faint perfume from its chalice steals—
I know what the caged bird feels!

I know why the caged bird beats his wing
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;
For he must fly back to his perch and cling
When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;
And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars
And they pulse again with a keener sting—
I know why he beats his wing!

I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—
When he beats his bars and he would be free;
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core,
But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—
I know why the caged bird sings!

-- Paul Laurence Dunbar

Tags: Paul Laurence Dunbar, freedom, poem, poetry

Views: 15

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ian Mason on September 9, 2011 at 5:32am
Like this very much. I know the last line as the title of an autobiography by a black American women (who's name escapes me just now) that was serialized on the BBC World Service some years ago.
Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on September 9, 2011 at 9:01am
Yes, I recognize that book title as well, but I don't recall who wrote it either. It's a nice poem.
Permalink Reply by Ian Mason on September 9, 2011 at 9:29am

Got it! Maya Angelou. Will now try a link:

And Still I Rise http://youtu.be/JqOqo50LSZ0

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on September 9, 2011 at 9:45am
Thanks. I know MA, of course, but I did not know she wrote that.

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