Question

What is the meaning of "but the caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on the nightmare scream" acc to the poem "I know why the caged bird sings"?

Answer 1

The cage bird stands on the grave of dreams because that cage is like a graveyard to the bird's dreams and aspirations. He is restricted to such an extent that it is said that his condition is as horrible like a nightmare scream.

Answer 2

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream hiswings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing Thecaged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still andhis tune.