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RIP Maya Angelou
Posted 4 hours, 11 minutes ago
The following is the poem "Caged Bird," written 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.

Maya Angelou was a powerful author, poet, director, actor, journalist, professor, and activist, just to name a few of the many roles she played throughout her life. Amongst her countless achievements and acknowledgments, she was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award, won three Grammy Awards, and received the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was an ardent activist and spokesperson for African Americans and women, and has been a mainstay of literary community for decades. Some of her most famous works include the autobiographical I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the Pulitzer Prize-nominated book of poetry Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diie, the book of essays Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now, and even cookbooks like Hallelujah! The Welcome Table.

Angelou left a wealth of written and performed works that we can remember her by, many of which are available here on Bibliotik. In celebration of her rich and storied life, all of her ebooks will be freeleech for the next 48 hours, and her audiobooks will be neutral leech (no upload or download recorded). Please join us in honoring her life, and ensuring that her passion will be shared. Discuss this post here!