National Bird Day: A poetic reminder from Paul Laurence Dunbar

January 5,  National Bird Day, was established by bird activists seeking to bring to the attention of the general populace the plight of captive birds. The occasion also draws attention to exploitation of birds in the U.S. pet industry. On this day, organizers suggest we reflect upon the conditions of birds held in captivity.

Why National Bird Day?

• The beauty, songs, and flight of birds have long been sources of human inspiration.

• Today, nearly 12 percent of the world's 9,800 bird species may face extinction within the next century, including nearly one-third of the world's 330 parrot species.
 

• Birds are sentinel species whose plight serves as barometer of ecosystem health and alert system for detecting global environmental ills.
 

• Many of the world's parrots and songbirds are threatened with extinction due to pressures from the illegal pet trade, disease, and habitat loss.
 

• Public awareness and education about the physical and behavioral needs of birds can go far in improving the welfare of the millions of birds kept in captivity.
 

• The survival and well-being of the world's birds depends upon public education and support for conservation.

The recognition of National Bird Day brings to mind “Sympathy” one of the best loved poems by Paul Laurence Dunbar, Ohio-born African American poet of renown. The closing line of this poignant work by Dunbar is the title that celebrated teacher, poet, author, Maya Angelou selects for the first in her series of autobiographies I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings:

Sympathy

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 ope's,
And the faint perfume from its chalice steals--
I know what the caged bird feels!

I know why the caged bird beats its 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.

Click here to read two Christmas poems by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Listen to Tom O'Bedlam's spoken verse recitation of Dunbar's "Sympathy":