an essay in the text box (do not use Word) about the following poem. In your essay, you must present at least three of the poetic elements that we examined as a class words, meter/rhythm, theme, voice, imagery, figurative language, and form and explain how these elements work in the presentation of the poem as a whole (i.e., how they complement one another).
“Caged Bird” — Maya Angelou (1983)
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
til 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.
