Why Does He Sing?

Why does the caged bird sing?

Perhaps it’s a fantasy he trills

Of soaring high on lifting thermals

Among those far off hills.

Perhaps he sings a song of despair,

For all those things he cannot see,

Or could it be he sings in hopes

That his captors will set him free?

Hearts softened by his lilting arias,

They’ll fling wide his cage door

So he can at last wing in pursuit

Of those dreams he’s been longing for.

The caged bird weaves a musical tapestry

From notes of every hue,

But I suspect within his heart,

Those notes are mostly blue.

I, too, have been known to sing

When my heart was heavy and sad;

The emotions released through those notes

Kept me from going mad.

Those who think it’s only joy

That moves a heart to sing

Have never heard a gypsy guitar

Sobbing its heart out through its strings.

I don’t know why the caged bird sings;

Perhaps he’s calling for a mate,

Or his motivation could be other things,

And he’s singing a lament to his fate.

La Traviata, was, you know, filled with tragedy;

Music can depict deep despair; that’s a reality.

© Thurman P. Woodfork 4/13/2007

to 'How Can He Sing/?' by Mary Rogers