i know why some caged birds sing

i know why some caged birds sing.

i know why some caged birds here sing

with the caged birds there.

i know why some freed birds sing for the

caged birds everywhere.

and i know why some giant free birds sing

selectively, so cunningly,

the song of freedom and justice,

as if they have mastered it to conduct it.

therefore, i know, more than anything,

why birds of our kind, freed or caged,

must sing together,

louder and louder until we all are free.