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20. What are the defining images of the poem ? How does the poet compare the free and caged
birds ? How does the poet speak against racism through the caged bird ?
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill

of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

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