To all enslaved, the victims of trauma, forced marriages, imprisoned because of their faith, ., child prostitutes …,

I know why the caged bird beats his wings,
Till it’s blood red on the cruel bars,
For he must fly back to his perch and cling,
When his fain would be on a borrow a-swing;
And 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 word sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore-
When he beats his bars he would be free,
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his hearts deep core,
But a plea, that upward to heaven he flings,
I know why the caged bird sings.

Paul Lawrence Dunbar

Have compassion,Lord


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