Why the Caged Bird Sings

Two eminent African American poets of the twentieth century, Paul Laurence Dunbar and Maya Angelou, both explored the metaphor of why the caged bird sings.

They have some interesting things to say, certainly worth reading. But I’m going to share what my time in the crux of life’s dark crucibles has taught me about why the caged bird sings. First, singing is in its nature.

A bird was made to sing, but in the cage, it faces a choice: to surrender to circumstances or embrace life. The caged bird that sings does so despite its circumstances —or maybe even more so because of them.

The song emanates from a refusal to die. Second, the bird knows its voice is heard. No matter how dark the situation, Someone hears.

A heart of love receives the notes. Why wouldn’t the caged bird sing when the song connects it to the Source by which it is sustained? Third, the sound may fall on other ears that need to hear its voice, singing into and against the darkness. There seem to be plenty of reasons not to sing nowadays, with the stakes growing higher each day. Our little planet is being rocked with major changes and challenges regarding weather, war, natural disasters, crime, and terrorism.

Our global community is struggling with responding to displaced people. Human trafficking is at an all-time high. Our national politics are becoming increasingly polarized; rhetoric is filled with vitriol and hate.

Even so, this is not the time for silence. It also is not the time for clamoring voices, rattling emotive reactions, and airing personal opinions.

If you speak up, use your voice to make a difference, shed light in the darkness, and anchor those tossed and confused in the storm.

Or listen to those who can do these things and work to understand the issues so you can speak intelligently and effectively when you are called upon. Let’s not panic or stick our heads in the sand. Now is the time to buckle down, ground ourselves on a firm foundation, and develop our own authentic voices. It may be dark in this cage of a world, but I still have a song to sing, and I’m going to sing it.

I just hope that it inspires you either to find your song or to set it free.

Rachel Williams-Smith