Maya Angelou
April 4, 1928 - May 28, 2014
Poet, Novelist, Actress
Gone....but will never be forgotten
Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Ann Johnson on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, USA.
An excellent author and poet, she published seven autobiographies, novels and several poetry books.
I especially loved reading her books of inspiration and devotion.
Her first autobiography, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" was the first step to her international recognition and acclaim.
A recount of her life up to the age of 16....a story of how her parents abandoned her, being raped by her mother's boyfriend, becoming homeless and living life as a teenage mother.
This was only the beginning of her illustrious writing career. Her mastery of literature was her forte.
"I want to write so well
that a person is 30 or 40 pages in a book of mine ... before she
realizes she's reading," Angelou once said.
She had many treasured friends like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Oprah Winfrey......those of us left will miss her voice.
Here is her obituary in this CNN report.
Caged Bird
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun 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.
May she rest in peace.
A beautiful tribute to a very special human being. Thanks for writing this. xoxox
ReplyDeleteIt was my way of paying tribute to a great lady....I am glad you appreciated it.
DeleteA wonderful lady. RIP.
ReplyDeleteHer voice will definitely be missed....a voice of reason in this chaotic world....the world has lost a good one.
DeleteMay she rest in peace....although I imagine she will continue to share her wisdom with others in her realm.
I am very glad to see this post about such a wonderful poet. She makes me proud to be American! I tried to do a post about her but I just couldn't put into words the way that I felt about this wonderful woman. Michelle from Rambling Woods has one of her poems on her blog as a tribute.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for writing this.
Thank you Kay for your kind words.
DeleteI am sure that as time goes by you will find that you will be able to write a glowing tribute with your heartfelt sentiments for Maya Angelou....she was a great lady.
I've been seeing lots of quotes of hers circulating the last few days so I kind of guessed she must have died although I missed that piece of news on the day it happened. I don't think I ever read anything by her.
ReplyDeleteHer poetry is inspiring, very deep and thought provoking.
DeleteIf you ever come across any of her books, you can safely close your eyes and purchase it knowing that it will be a great read.