Sympathy Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAAAAA CACCACC DEDDEAA| I know what the caged bird feels alas | A |
| When the sun is bright on the upland slopes | B |
| When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass | A |
| And the river flows like a stream of glass | A |
| When the first bird sings and the first bud opes | A |
| And the faint perfume from its chalice steals | A |
| I know what the caged bird feels | A |
| - | |
| I know why the caged bird beats his wing | C |
| Till its blood is red on the cruel bars | A |
| For he must fly back to his perch and cling | C |
| When he fain would be on the bough a swing | C |
| And a pain still throbs in the old old scars | A |
| And they pulse again with a keener sting | C |
| I know why he beats his wing | C |
| - | |
| I know why the caged bird sings ah me | D |
| When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore | E |
| When he beats his bars and he would be free | D |
| It is not a carol of joy or glee | D |
| But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core | E |
| But a plea that upward to Heaven he flings | A |
| I know why the caged bird sings | A |
Paul Laurence Dunbar
(5)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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