Who Caged the Bird?

I know the free bird dares and the caged bird sings

But who caged the bird? 

Who clipped her wings 

Who closed the door? 

Was she born free or caged? 

Did she open the door and fly out daring to a new world? 

Or did she peak in cautiously and wonder about caged life? 

Maybe she only knew free. 

Maybe the cage reflected the nest from which she came. 

I think she was born free. 

I think she never knew a wall. 

I think she was curious. 

I think this wild thing clipped her wings and stepped inside. 

I think the cage grew until she thought it was the whole world 

I think he stopped closing the door because she forgot she could fly. 

I think she became fearful of the familiar beyond. 

So, what happened to this caged bird? 

Did she live her free days in that cage?

Did she forever stand with her feet on the door’s edge? 

Did she watch other birds and wonder why she couldn’t fly?

Did she shrivel up and think only of the life inside?

No. 

I think that caged bird saw a mirror. 

I think in her reflection she saw the wild thing. 

I think in the color of her own wings she remembered she was free

I think she found that open door and flew out 

I think she found the daring wild born in her 

I think her wings grew strong again

I think she returned to the mountains. 

And in her flight she saw the empty cage. 

It was small and weakly made. 

The door could not lock and the bars were too widely spaced. 

It was made of broken wood. 

I think that bird built her own cage and stepped inside 

I think there never was an other

I think she was her own jailer 

I think she found security in fearing the outside

I think the only thing that can cage a free bird is the free bird.