Liberty...A bird now Caged 🐦
Villanelle. Maya Angelou's Bird and Lady Liberty, unite.
Liberty stands weeping, trembling, as her once firm resolve wavers
Her Flame flickers, her right hand trembling, like a caged bird's wings
The light of freedom and enlightenment, Liberty fears, now dims darkly
🐦
Once guiding the world towards illumination...to freedom and hope
The Lady now sees her symbol tarnished - no longer the idea of democracy
Liberty stands weeping, trembling, as her once firm resolve wavers
🐦
She now understands why the caged bird sings - it's voice unheard, trapped
It seeks fulfillment and the Declaration of its Independence. It's rights.
The light of freedom and enlightenment, Liberty fears, now dims darkly
🐦
Her left hand clutches a tablet inscribed, "JULY IV MDCCLXXVI". A date -
The foundation of democracy and the principles of freedom and justice
Liberty stands weeping, trembling, as her once firm resolve wavers
🐦
The torch mourns the loss of a pursuit of freedom - the tablet, history lost
to self-importance and the Declaration of our leaders pompous egos
The light of freedom and enlightenment, Liberty fears, now dims darkly
🐦
The world quivers with rage, the call to arms a hymn in every fettered mind
The caged bird sings even louder - Liberty, she screams, let's march, rebel.
Liberty stands weeping, trembling, as her once firm resolve wavers
The light of freedom and enlightenment, Liberty fears, now dims darkly.
.................................................
In the course of writing her book - Caged Bird, Maya transforms from a victim of racism with an inferiority complex into a self-possessed, dignified young woman capable of responding to prejudice.
So too, can we overcome the injustices of our world. It is up to us to release all of the caged birds. Physically, mentally, metaphorically, allegorically - in any way that we can. Even if its just using our words.
About the Creator
Novel Allen
You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. (Maya Angelou). Genuine accomplishment is not about financial gain, but about dedicating oneself to activities that bring joy and fulfillment.
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By Tabitha Hinkley3 days ago in Fiction
Comments (3)
This verse brought tears to my eyes. The imagery of Lady Liberty, gifted by the French nation to celebrate the infant American republic's rejection of tyranny and imperialism. The USA is the oldest surviving democracy in the world. Its importance cannot be over estimated, despite any flaws. That so many Americans seem to fail to appreciate this is, to me, quite frightening. Thank you for raising the torch. Bravo for your stand. Long live liberty!
Ah Yes, Maya's caged bird. The world sure feels like a caged bird these days. like we are trapped with nowhere to go..
That was so empowering! Loved your poem!