In your absence,

I rehearsed you,

The way you had of singing

On a breeze,

While a sob lay

At the root of your song.

- mother

This poem, titled "In Your Absence," truly has a profound depth. It presents a vivid image of the speaker rehearsing the memory of someone, perhaps a mother. The description of the way she sang on a breeze, with a sob hidden at the root of her song, adds an element of emotion and mystery. However, overall, the poetry is a bit too unwieldy and flowery for my personal tastes. It seems to use excessive language and complex imagery, which might make it a bit difficult to fully understand and connect with. Nevertheless, it is well worth reading as it offers a unique perspective and a chance to explore different styles of poetry.

Maya's bodies of work written for different occasions are truly inspirational.

Her words have the power to touch the hearts and souls of readers, regardless of the time or place.

Each piece is a timeless gem, filled with wisdom, emotion, and a deep understanding of the human experience.

Whether it's a poem for a special event, an essay on a particular topic, or a story that transports us to another world, Maya's writing always leaves a lasting impression.

It encourages us to look within ourselves, to find strength in difficult times, and to embrace the beauty and wonder of life.

Her work is a testament to the power of words and the ability of literature to inspire and transform.

We can all learn from Maya's example and strive to create something meaningful and impactful with our own words.

Let us be inspired by her work and continue to share the gift of reading and writing with others.

After reading Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem four times and crying each time, I decided to explore another inaugural poet and immerse myself in her words.

This small book holds some of Angelou's most important poems, which were presented on her largest platforms.

And let me tell you, they are truly amazing.

Angelou's words have the power to touch the heart and soul, just like Gorman's.

Each poem is a masterpiece, filled with deep emotions and profound insights.

As I read through the book, I was transported to different worlds and experiences.

Angelou's poetry is a celebration of life, love, and the human spirit.

It is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we can find strength and beauty.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to be inspired.

I highly recommend it.

"I was yours to love. You were always mine. We have belonged together, in and out of time.

When the first stone looked up at the blazing sun and the first tree struggled, I loved you more.

You were the rhythm on the head of the conga drum and the brush of palm on my but brown skin. And I loved you then.

We worked the cane and cotton fields. We trod together the city streets, wearied by labor, bruised by cruelty, strutting age sassy to our inner beat.

And all the while, Lord, how I loved your smile. It was like a ray of sunshine in the darkest of times. Your smile could light up a room and make my heart soar. I remember those days when we were working hard in the fields, but your smile would always give me the strength to keep going.

Even when we faced difficulties and hardships, your smile would never fade. It was a constant reminder of our love and the bond that held us together. And I knew that as long as I had your smile, I could face anything.

Lord, I still love your smile, and I always will."

4.5 stars.

Maya Angelou truly outdid herself in this remarkable collection. Her proficiency in using vivid imagery is simply outstanding. With each prayer, she masterfully embodies the essence of what it means to be human. I am deeply grateful for her profound wisdom, unwavering courage, and unflinching honesty. This book has now firmly secured its place on my to-purchase-and-have-forever list. It is a literary gem that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who is seeking beauty and comfort in this often broken and chaotic world. Maya Angelou's words have the power to touch the soul, inspire hope, and offer solace. Whether you are going through a difficult time or simply in need of a moment of reflection, this collection of prayers is sure to leave a lasting impression.

And when we come to it -

To the day of peacemaking -

When we release our fingers -

From fists of hostility -

And allow the pure air to cool our palms.

(From “a brave and startling truth”)

—-

Another fantastic book. Maya Angelou’s poems are truly rapturous. The one she wrote for the UN, as quoted above, is a masterpiece. It beautifully describes the moment when we let go of our anger and embrace peace. The image of releasing our fingers from fists of hostility and allowing the pure air to cool our palms is so vivid and powerful. It makes us realize that peace is within our reach if we are willing to let go of our grudges and open our hearts.

The poem about her forgiving her mother is also a new favorite. It shows the depth of her emotions and the power of forgiveness. Through her words, we can feel her pain and her journey towards healing. Maya Angelou’s poetry is not only beautiful but also inspiring. It makes us think about our own lives and the choices we make.

It was truly a pleasant experience to listen to Maya read her own poetry.

At times, she would even break into song, adding an extra layer of charm to the performance. She shared that she was inspired by old spirituals, and this influence was evident in many of her poems.

Not only did the poems touch on religious themes, but they also delved into issues such as racism and the longing for peace.

What made it kind of fun was that the poems seemed to have a wide range of applications. They could be for someone's birthday, like Oprah's, or for a bar mitzvah of some random kid she knew or perhaps because she was a family friend of the parents.

There were also poems written for events at the White House. Some of the poems were about her own life, while others commemorated other famous events or people.

So, there was, I assume, a good sample of her poetry work on display. However, what makes something poetry or not is a completely different matter. I couldn't say that any of them were particularly poetic to me.

But then again, I'm not much of a poetry person and perhaps I have a penchant for rhyming too much.

Nevertheless, it was interesting to hear Maya's unique perspective and表达方式 through her poetry.

The rock calls out, may stand on me, but do not hide your face. It is as if the rock is speaking to us, inviting us to be brave and not shy away from showing our true selves.

Give some of yourself to those who need some of yourself. This simple yet profound statement reminds us of the importance of sharing our love, kindness, and support with others.

This series of poems has left me encouraged to continue creating and not being afraid of vulnerability and authenticity. In a world that often seems to value strength and invincibility, it can be difficult to open up and show our true emotions. However, these poems remind me that it is through our vulnerability and authenticity that we can truly connect with others and make a difference in the world.

Especially in a world that may need it now more than ever, we must not be afraid to share our stories and our hearts. We have the power to inspire, encourage, and uplift those around us, and these poems serve as a reminder of that power.

I have perused several of the poems within this book previously. There are a number of them that I had neither heard nor read in times past.

While I was not as profoundly impressed as I was with "On the Pulse of Morning", they were nonetheless good.

It was truly a delight to listen to Maya Angelou recite her own work in the audio format of the book.

Her voice added a unique dimension and depth to the words, breathing life into them in a way that simply reading them on the page could not achieve.

The audio version allowed me to experience the poems in a new and different light, and I found myself more engaged and immersed in the works as a result.

Overall, it was a wonderful addition to the book and enhanced my appreciation for Maya Angelou's poetry.

Mrs. Maya Angelou, ❤️ you have truly touched my soul with your remarkable poetry on numerous occasions throughout my life.

Although not every single poem in this collection managed to completely captivate me, the ones like “On the Pulse of Morning”, “Brave and Startling Truth”, “Continue”, and “When Great Trees Fall” were more than sufficient to engage me on a profound level. They are truly worthy of 5 stars or perhaps even more.

After reading these poems, I am left with a sense that an ancient, sacred, and universal truth has been revealed to me. It is a truth that resides within each of us and connects us all.

Thank you, Mrs. Maya Angelou, for sharing your extraordinary gift of poetry with the world and for allowing us to experience these profound moments of connection and revelation.

Your words will continue to inspire and move generations to come.

This is the first full work of Angelou's that I've read, and I truly understand why people have such a profound love for her work.

With every piece, she exhibits a beautiful cadence that is simply captivating. It's as if her words dance on the page, pulling the reader in and holding their attention.

Moreover, her themes are so universal. They touch on the common experiences and emotions that we all share as human beings. Whether it's love, loss, hope, or courage, Angelou's writing speaks to the heart and soul.

These are such lovely pieces, and they are just as relevant now as they were in 2005 and 2006 when she first shared them with their respective gatherings. Her words have a timeless quality that allows them to resonate with readers across generations.

I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to discover Angelou's work, and I look forward to reading more of her beautiful writing in the future.

I'm not a highly religious individual, so there were certain poems that didn't truly resonate with me.

She expounds on the beauty found in love, both romantic and familial, as well as on the aspects of growing up, pain, and peace.

The standout poems for me encompassed: "On the Pulse of the Morning", which perhaps offers a profound exploration of the essence of a new day and its significance.

"Continue", her poem dedicated to Oprah, might hold special meaning and inspiration.

"When Great Trees Fall", which could evoke thoughts about the impact and consequences of significant events or losses.

And "In and out of Time", which perhaps delves into the mysteries and fluidity of time and our experiences within it.

These poems seem to offer unique perspectives and insights that can touch different aspects of our lives and emotions.