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Friday, May 30, 2014

Photograph: "Spirit Bird", a tribute to Maya Angelou

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.”
 - Maya Angelou 
"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly,
but rarely admit the changes it has gone through
to achieve that beauty."


        "Spirit Bird"



 "Cage Bird" by Maya Angelou
 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.

 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.



"Spirit Bird"
by Karin Lisa Atkinson

Camera: a friend's Nikon D800 with 18-55mm Zoom
Conditions: Natural light, wind, late afternoon, no tripod, no flash
Location: Venice Beach Canals, Los Angeles