I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

A free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and floats downstream till the current ends
and dips his wing in the orange suns 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.

The inferences that I can make about this poem are that the poet Maya Angelou is comparing this bird to life. I can infer that because she says that the world is waiting for this "bird" to spread his wings and fly. She wants him to fly for everything he wants and everything he believes in.
The best word to describe this poem would have to be excitement because Maya Angelou is telling this "bird" all of the possibilities he has waiting for him and if he tries to spread his wings and fly. She is telling him that if he wants to he could achieve anything that he wants to by trying his all and never giving up what he wants.
The meaning of this poem to me is that when you want something really bad don't let it go too fast because when you lose your meaning in life you lose everything you stand for.