A Letter to Maya by Kamaria Delaney

I know why the caged bird still sings, Freedom rings, like liberty

What part of freedom is really free?

What’s the cost of bondage?

What’s the price tag on oppression?

History lessons told us we were bought and sold,

Leaving out the part about our royal reign as Kings and Queens, Stories untold, until we sought to know,

Educated ourselves and looked toward the light to see 

That real freedom is when we free our minds.

Caged bird ain’t caged no more.

Baby bird is free indeed, like blossom

No buttercup or bubbles, just double the blessings,

Reaping the harvest God promised,

Taking back all the things the devil tried to take and break.

For I am no bird with broken wings, 

I am the bird that still sings. 

Uncaged and free,

Boundlessly, I be Queen indeed.