This morning, as I went for a walk, it was a perfect listen.

The birds were chirping merrily, their voices filling the air with a sweet melody.

The water was flowing gently in the little creek, creating a soft gurgling sound that was both soothing and relaxing.

And to top it all off, I had the pleasure of listening to Maya Angelou reading her powerful words.

Her voice was like a warm embrace, carrying the weight and beauty of her poetry.

It was a truly lovely experience, one that made me feel connected to nature and to the power of words.

I walked along, breathing in the fresh air and taking in all the sounds and sights around me, feeling grateful for this moment of peace and beauty.

It was a perfect start to my day, and one that I will remember for a long time.

I had the pleasure of experiencing the audiobook version of Maya Angelou's work.

What made it truly special was that it was recited by Maya Angelou herself! As I listened, my ears were filled with her wise and powerful voice, which carried a deep and poignant quality.

What I found particularly fascinating was that she would sing lines of her poems - the lines that she had written as songs - in between the other non-song like lines. It was a completely unexpected and delightful surprise to listen to her words and suddenly hear a musicless song emerge within a poem.

This unique style felt very primitive, yet it was often incredibly endearing. It added a new dimension to her poetry, making it come alive in a way that reading it on the page could not.

I would highly recommend this audiobook, or any of her other poetry books that are recited by herself, to anyone who has read her poems. It is a truly perfect 5/5 experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for her work.

I've been feeling extremely anxious over the past couple of days. The reason being, I have an important interview scheduled for Monday, and yet, I didn't receive a direct confirmation on Friday.

For some unknown reason, this anxiety has made it impossible for me to focus on reading the not-too-long book that I initially had in mind.

Last night, I was tossing and turning in bed, unable to fall asleep. I craved something short and engaging to read. That's when I came across "Celebrations" while browsing through Libby.

I have always been a huge fan of Maya Angelou's writing, and I believe this is the very first time I've delved into her poetry. "Celebrations" is a wonderful collection of poems that she penned for various events she hosted, as well as gifts for her dear loved ones and more.

In my never-ending quest to appreciate poetry, I thought that if anyone could make me fall in love with it, it would surely be Maya Angelou. And as always, her writing was nothing short of amazing.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the collection, although it didn't quite tug at my heartstrings the way her novels or essays have. Nevertheless, Maya Angelou is always an excellent choice to kickstart Black History Month - or any month for that matter.

Read as an audiobook

I’m not really big on poetry. In fact, I usually find it a bit challenging to engage with. However, when I came across Angelou’s words, I was truly struck by their power.

This short collection of hers is not just a random assortment of verses. It is a passionate call for love and peace in a world that often seems to be filled with chaos and conflict. At the same time, it serves as a stern admonishment of hate, highlighting the destructive nature of such emotions.

What made my experience even more enriching was the fact that Angelou herself read her own words in the audio version. Her voice added an extra layer of authenticity and emotion to the already powerful text.

As I listened to her recite those lines, I couldn’t help but be moved. It made me realize that poetry has the ability to touch our hearts and souls in ways that other forms of literature may not.

#readharderchallenge

To begin with, I am not at all a poetry reader, so I'm not a regular. As I progress through Maya Angelou's work, I come across this second book and I just don't get it. I remain completely closed off to her verses. I, perhaps being too schooled and not seeing rhymes (I know that poetry doesn't necessarily have to rhyme), hear no poetry in what I read. However, I still hold the hope of loving a future volume in the Virago collection on Maya Angelou. I understand that everyone has different tastes when it comes to literature, and maybe this particular book just didn't click with me. But I'm willing to give the next one a chance, as I know that Maya Angelou is a highly regarded and influential writer. Maybe with a different perspective or a different work, I will finally be able to appreciate the beauty and power of her poetry.

I have a profound love for this concise collection of poems that are specifically crafted for particular celebratory occasions.

Among them, "On the Pulse of Morning" and "Continue" are likely my most cherished ones.

I came across a copy of this collection at Half Price Books. However, I would highly recommend either obtaining it from the library or borrowing it from a friend.

The reason for this is that the collection is extremely short. It doesn't take a significant amount of time to read through, yet it manages to convey powerful emotions and ideas.

Despite its brevity, each poem has the ability to touch the reader's heart and leave a lasting impression.

Whether you're looking for a quick read to brighten your day or a source of inspiration for a special occasion, this collection of poems is definitely worth checking out.

Thunder rumbles menacingly in the mountain passes, and the powerful lightning rattles the eaves of our houses. Meanwhile, floodwaters lurk ominously in our avenues, ready to strike.

Snow piles upon snow, layer after layer, until it avalanches over unprotected villages. The sky descends low, gray, and threatening, casting a shadow of gloom.

We find ourselves questioning. What have we done to so deeply affront nature? We interrogate and worry God. Are you there? Are you truly there? Does the covenant you made with us still hold firm?

Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas arrives, streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope, and singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air. The world is encouraged to turn away from rancor and embrace the path of friendship.

It is the Glad Season. The thunder gradually ebbs to silence, and the lightning sleeps quietly in the corner. The floodwaters recede, becoming a distant memory. The snow transforms into a yielding cushion, aiding us as we make our way to higher ground. Hope is reborn in the faces of children and rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets. Hope spreads across the earth, brightening all things, even hate, which crouches and breeds in dark corridors.

In our joy, we think we hear a whisper. At first, it is too soft to distinguish. Then, it is only half heard. We listen carefully as it gathers strength, and we hear a sweetness. The word is Peace. It is now loud, louder than the explosion of bombs. We tremble at the sound, yet we are thrilled by its presence. It is that for which we have hungered. Not just the absence of war, but true Peace. A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies. Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.

We clap our hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas. We beckon this good season to wait a while with us. We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come. Peace. Come and fill us and our world with your majesty. We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian, implore you to stay a while with us so we may learn by your shimmering light how to look beyond complexion and see community.

It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.

There is more to this poem and more to this collection by Maya Angelou. However, this one spoke to me as perhaps even more appropriate and needed, given the recent years we have lived through.

On the back cover is a quote from another of her included poems, 'When Great Trees Fall'. While dedicated to Bernice Johnson Reagan, it seems an appropriate tribute to Maya Angelou. 'And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.'

Maya Angelou's poems are renowned and cherished across the globe.

Her works have touched the hearts of countless people, and I am proud to add my name to the extensive list of her admirers.

This remarkable collection features a birthday poem dedicated to Oprah Winfrey, as well as a poem composed in honor of a young man's bar mitzvah.

However, what holds the most significance for me are the poems that are written for the rest of us.

These poems speak to the universal experiences, emotions, and struggles that we all face in life.

They offer comfort, inspiration, and a sense of connection, reminding us that we are not alone in our journey.

Maya Angelou's words have the power to heal, to uplift, and to make us see the world in a new light.

Her poetry is a gift that will continue to be cherished and passed down for generations to come.

This short collection of poems offers profound and thoughtful musings. It includes works that delve into her mother, the concept of time, and the theme of injustice.

Personally, I was deeply struck by the remarkable eloquence and unwavering honesty with which the poet presents the harsh realities. The images of black and brown bodies bleeding and pleading for support and recognition, while white folks stand on the sidelines, asking how they can assist, are truly poignant.

Her call is for a revolution based on collective solidarity, where we walk together in power. This collection has the potential to make a significant impact and引发深刻的思考.

I would highly recommend this as an audiobook for your daily commute. It can transform those mundane travel moments into opportunities for deep reflection and connection with the powerful messages within the poems.

Let this collection be a source of inspiration and a catalyst for positive change in our society.

I was truly and deeply saddened by the passing of this remarkable and great lady in 2014. She was indeed a national treasure. As the year is winding down and coming to an end, I decided to pull out this volume. I wanted to receive a blessing from her profound and beautiful words as I am preparing myself for the new year that lies ahead. I offer her own words back up here in memory of all those great writers we've unfortunately lost in 2014.

When great trees fall, it has a profound impact. Rocks on distant hills shudder, as if they are feeling the tremors of this significant event. Lions hunker down in the tall grasses, perhaps seeking refuge and a sense of safety. Even elephants, those mighty creatures, lumber after safety.

When great trees fall in the forests, small things recoil into silence. Their senses are eroded beyond fear, as if they are in a state of shock and disbelief.

When great souls die, the air around us becomes light, rare, and sterile. We breathe briefly, and our eyes, for a brief moment, see with a hurtful clarity. Our memory, suddenly sharpened, examines and gnaws on kind words that were left unsaid, and promised walks that were never taken.

Great souls die, and our reality, which was bound to them, takes leave of us. Our souls, which were dependent upon their nurture, now shrink and become wizened. Our minds, which were formed and informed by their radiance, fall away. We are not so much maddened as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of dark, cold caves.

And when great souls die, after a period, peace blooms. It blooms slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored but never to be the same, whisper to us, "They existed. They existed." We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.

(Maya Angelou, Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer, New York: Random House, 2006, pp. 47-50)

I possess the unabridged audio version of Maya Angelou's remarkable book.

From the very moment I started listening, I was completely entranced by the captivating cadence and the deep, melodic voice of Angelou.

Her material is incredibly diverse, covering a wide range of topics. Some of the titles of the poems she reads are truly inspiring, such as "On the Pulse of Morning", "Amazing Peace", and "Mother".

Nowhere is it more blatantly evident what a powerful orator and poet she truly is.

She manages to prove, once again, that there is always a cause for celebration in the beauty and depth of her words.

This audio version is highly recommended for anyone who wishes to experience the magic of Maya Angelou's work in a whole new way.

It allows you to fully immerse yourself in her world and be moved by her profound insights and emotions.

Whether you are a long-time fan or new to her work, this unabridged audio version is sure to leave a lasting impression.

I think I possess two books authored by her that I haven't yet picked up, and to be honest, I have no clue as to why.

I made the decision to pick this one up because my coworker brought it into her English class this month for the analysis of poems. I had never read it before and thought that if we were going to share this book with the students, I'd better read it.

This turned out to be a very pleasant and easy read of some extremely famous poems. They were written and read for numerous famous people and events. I believe that each of these poems was beautiful!

I also really relished listening to her read her own poems on the audiobook. I always have a great fondness for it when you hear the author share their work.

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”

“On this platform of peace, we can create a language to translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.”