Leonard Dabydeen's When Caged Child Sings

 Thanks to Leonard Dabydeen for reaching out to me to share his poem, When Caged Child Sings. 

When Caged Child Sings

When caged child sings, it's not a lullaby,

It's a song of yearning to be set free;

When the caged child sings, makes you want to cry,

It's a song just for being so hungry.

Where the caged child needs comfort for sleeping

There're crowded spaces so cramped in the dark

Where the caged child is heard crying, weeping

There're crowded spaces with no place to park.

Where border guards have forgotten roll call

The caged child loses close touch of parents

Where border guards roost with their denial

The caged child sings with fearful sentiments.

Behind this Mexican border outrage

A child will rise to speak of this hate rage.

Leonard Dabydeen