My poet for today’s writer’s quote/ poem Wednesday, in correlation with the atoz challenge I am participating in is, Paul Laurence Dunbar. The first time I came across his work was watching a poetry out loud competition in YouTube, where his poem “we wear the mask” was recited. It was amazing. But that is not the poem I’m going to share today. Today’s poem is titled “sympathy” and all I’ll say is, if you enjoyed reading maya Angelou’s- I know why the caged bird sings, you’ll enjoy this.
Sympathy by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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!
Reblogged this on Living Resiliently Blog.
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I hadn’t heard that before. Not the biggest poetry fan but like art… I know what I like when I see it 🙂
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Thank you! I am glad you like it 😄😄
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This is beautifully poignant, Ameena. Both quote and poem. ❤
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Thank you very much Maria. I love it too. I actually saved since I came across it and every once in a while, go back and reread it.
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Awesome words Ameena and the poetry is so deep and yes that is what we all are A Lie to ourselves.
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Thank you very much Kamal. I was more than happy to share his words
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Welcome Ameena
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This is a poem that reads so lovely, Ameena. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you very much Jade. This is one of those poems I go back to.
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He puts it so well! 🙂
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Yes he does! 😃
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