I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! Mine was wonderful, filled with family and friends. I'm really excited about the guitar I got for Christmas! Not only will it serve for my pleasure and enjoyment, but I look at it as a tool for my future teaching in case I end up teaching elementary and need something to accompany the students with, or even start a guitar club in middle school (where I'll hopefully be). Today I watched one of my favorite movies, The Duchess. The movie is based on the real life story of Georgiana Spencer, the Duchess of Devonshire from 1774 until 1806. The movie tells about her horrible marriage to the Duke, who only wants her for her abilities to produce an heir. Georgiana is a passionate person who is unloved in her own home. Because she doesn't immediately give birth to a boy (she has three daughters before finally having a boy), the Duke has many affairs with the household maids and eventually with Georgiana's only friend, Lady Elizabeth Foster. Though it is clear the Duke and Lady Foster love each other, and the Duke insists Lady Foster live with them he denies Georgiana the right to be the man she loves, Charles Grey. Ahhh, I shouldn't spoil the whole movie. You must watch, it's a great drama. I couldn't imagine living my life not being able to be with someone I love or being forced to live with someone who doesn't love me. Her circumstances were dreadful. I'm glad that I'm living a life where who I marry is based on mutual love for one another - not money or status. This poem by Maya Angelou reminds me of Georgiana. Though she was a duchess and was the admiration of many, her personal life away from the public eye was tragic.

A free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and floats downstream till the current ends
and dips his wing in the orange suns 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.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
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.

~Maya Angelou