Maya Angelou
By: Ms. K
Today we lost a phenomenal woman! At the age of 86 Dr. Maya Angelou passed away. Maya Angelou was a poet, educator, author, playwright, activist, historian, producer, actor, and director.
I can still remember reading “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sing,” her journey, her words, her actions only motivated me to know my self and accept who I am.
Maya Angelou quote: I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget who you made them feel.
My mother bought me “Words of Love” and I keep that open next to my bed everyday, always changing the poems based on my mood. Several of my favorite poems in the book are:
First best is falling in love.
Second best is being in love.
Least best is falling out of love.
But any of it is better than never having been in love.
Another one:
I am not only where I am
in relation to where you are.
I must know where I am
When I am without you.
After my last break up which I felt tore my heart into a million pieces this poem made me realize that I can’t give up on love:
A woman who does not trust love
Will never know the exquisite security
of giving herself to another.
My all time favorite poem have to be:
Phenomenal Woman
Maya Angelou just had a calm spirt, that encourage other people to move mountains. Her journey has been inspirational, her words has been motivating, and her life inspires me to always be better. Never lose sight on my path, but always remember the journey.
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
Rated S 