Some people are so Talented, Magnificent, Gifted and Profound that you could not help it but to wish you were born before them to see if God gives some of their talent by mistake. I have taken the liberty of posting this Poem called “Sympathy” by my greatest teacher Paul Laurence Dunbar (aside from, of curse, Jesus of Nazareth and the great Prophet Muhammad).

Peace, Love and Enjoy it:

I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
And the river flows like a stream of glass;
When the first bird sings and the first bud opes,
And the faint perfume from its chalice steals–
I know what the caged bird feels!

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

IIf uou want to learn more about Paul Laurence Dunbar, please visit his work at: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poets/detail/paul-laurence-dunbar or at http://www.poemhunter.com/paul-laurence-dunbar/

© Copyright by Miguel Serrat