Mourning dove — Photo by Pat Bean
If I had things my way, all birds would fly free.
Gambel’s quail — Photo by Pat Bean
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
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 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.
Gila woodpecker — Photo by Pat Bean
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.”
Pat Bean's blog 
Beautiful photos and accompanying prose! xxx
I’ve often seen references to this poem but have not read it until now. It made me cry.
Beautiful images, Pat, to go with beautiful words. I was just reading that poem a couple of days ago.
OK, that just made me cry.
Loving watch quail:) Have a Great Day!
What a coincidence Pat, your title of this post. On yesterday I was at the library short of time and without my reading list and picked up, blindly and based on title alone, Merlin Coverley’s The Art Of Wandering, The Writer As Walker. I instantly thought of you, of course, and wondered if you’re familiar with it and, if so, your thoughts on it. I’ve only just cracked the introduction but enjoying it so far.
Pat, great bird photos. My husband asked me where I got those. He loved them too! Funny, did you see “Duracell” in the background of the quail?