CELEBRATIONS: Rituals of Peace and Prayer by Maya Angelou is an outstanding collection of 'timely and timeless poems'.

Angelou's talent shines through in each and every piece. She has the remarkable ability to capture the essence of various occasions and emotions. One of the poems was read at President Clinton's 1993 inauguration, adding a touch of grandeur and significance. Another was presented at the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations, highlighting her role as a voice for peace.

She also uses her poetry to celebrate personal moments, such as her nephew's Bar Mitzvah and her mother on Mother's Day. These poems are not only beautiful but also deeply moving.

The back cover describes Angelou as a chronicler of history, an advocate of peace, and a champion for the planet. I wholeheartedly agree with these descriptions. Her poems are a testament to her wisdom, compassion, and love for humanity.

I was completely captivated by every single poem in this collection. Angelou's graceful, dignified, and elongated style, along with her masterful use of poetic devices, makes her work truly enchanting. I highly recommend this book and rate it with ★★★★★.

You can never go wrong with Maya Angelou.

Her works are like precious gems that shine brightly in the literary world. Especially in today's political climate, which is often filled with division and uncertainty, this collection of poems by Maya Angelou has truly been a source of inspiration for me.

It has helped give me a bit more insight into the compassion and hope that we as human beings need to look for in one another. The poems are written with such beauty and grace that they touch the deepest parts of our souls.

This was a quick read, perhaps too quick for my taste. I found myself devouring the words, eager to know what came next.

But at the same time, I wished I could have savored each poem a little longer. I will hopefully be reading more and more of the great Maya Angelou's work in the future.

Her words have a way of staying with you, lingering in your mind and heart long after you've finished reading. I know that I won't be able to get her words out of my head for a while, and that's a good thing.

They will serve as a reminder of the power of literature and the importance of looking for the good in others.

"Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer" by Maya Angelou is an absolute delight.

It is a collection that beautifully showcases some of her most joyous and inspiring works.

This enchanting time capsule has the power to transport readers back to different moments in their lives.

For me, it took me back to when I was a second-grade teacher. I vividly remember eagerly watching Bill Clinton's inauguration, and being completely captivated by Angelou's profound poem, "On the Pulse of Morning."

The way she weaved words together to create such a powerful and moving piece was truly remarkable.

Moreover, the poem she composed for Oprah's 50th birthday was an unexpected and wonderful surprise.

It added another layer of charm and depth to this already amazing collection.

If you haven't yet discovered the magic of "Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer," I highly recommend adding this gem to your library.

It is a book that will bring you joy, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of language.

A collection of poems from public events and marches has been curated. These poems are written for commemoration or to celebrate individuals. They offer a unique perspective on various aspects of life and society.

You can access and read these poems on the Libby app. One of the great features of the app is that it allows you to listen to the authors' voices, adding an extra dimension to the reading experience.

The quote "Continue to plant a public kiss of concern on the cheek of the sick and the aged and the infirm and count that action as natural" encapsulates the spirit of kindness and empathy that is often expressed in these poems. It reminds us of the importance of showing care and compassion for those in need.

By reading and listening to these poems, we can gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and be inspired to make a positive difference in the world.

This slim collection of poetry is truly a remarkable piece that can be a great source of comfort, inspiration, and hope during life's big moments.

Whether it's a joyous occasion like a birthday or a more solemn one such as the end of life of a loved one, and everything in between, this collection has something to offer.

It contains some of Maya Angelou's most memorable lessons, like the powerful advice to "be a rainbow in someone's cloud."

The words in this collection have the ability to touch the heart and soul, and leave a lasting impact on the reader or listener.

I firmly believe that this collection would make for a thoughtful and meaningful gift for graduations.

It can serve as a reminder to the graduates to always strive for hope and inspiration in their lives, and to be a source of light and love for others.

Overall, this slim collection of poetry is a must-have for anyone looking for a little bit of magic and inspiration in their lives.

I don't read a great deal of poetry, but I have a profound love for Angelou's prose. Therefore, I decided to give this collection a try. And boy, was I not disappointed!

She is an incredibly talented writer, and the way she uses language is simply beautiful. Her words seem to dance on the page, captivating the reader's attention and pulling them into her world.

One of the things I especially enjoy is looking up some of her poems online to hear her read them herself. There is something truly magical about hearing the author's own voice bring their words to life. It adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to the poems, making them even more powerful.

Overall, I would highly recommend this collection to anyone who loves beautiful writing and wants to explore the works of a truly remarkable author.

Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer is a remarkable collection by Maya Angelou, one of America's most esteemed poets and memoirists. This book is a treasure trove of her best works, including powerful poems like On the Pulse of Morning, A Brave and Startling Truth, Mother: A Cradle to Hold Me, and Amazing Peace.

“We, the Jew and the Jainsist, the Catholic and the Confucian,
Implore you to stay awhile 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.”
(p. 64)

The words in this collection have the power to touch the soul and inspire a sense of unity and peace. Angelou's poetry beautifully captures the essence of different celebrations and the importance of coming together as a community. Published in 2006, this 106-page book is a must-read for poetry lovers. I read it from 5/31/23 to 6/1/23, and it was a truly enriching experience. It is my 113th reading journal entry in 2023.

Even in death, Dr. Maya Angelou remains among the living through her remarkable, timeless poetry. Her words have the power to touch the hearts and souls of people across generations. It was such a gift to hear her booming voice echo from every word and syllable. Her poems are like precious gems, shining with wisdom and truth. They always remind us how considerable we are, yet how small we are in the grand scheme of things. This serves to keep us humble and striving for greatness. Dr. Angelou's poetry is a testament to her extraordinary talent and her profound understanding of the human condition. It will continue to inspire and uplift us for years to come.

Many of these poems carried truly important and deeply emotional messages about peace, hope, and the world's victims.

They had the power to touch the hearts of readers and make them think about the greater issues in our society.

I also believed that the poems written for yearly celebrations such as Christmas and Mother's Day were truly great.

They had the potential to become a hallmark of the festivities surrounding those holidays, adding a special touch of beauty and meaning.

However, my one qualm, which was the reason for awarding four stars instead of five, was that some of the poems felt much more important than others.

There were certain poems that didn't carry with them the same powerful message or deal with the same significant subjects.

As a result, I didn't enjoy them as much as the others.

Nonetheless, the overall collection was still very impressive and had many wonderful poems that were well worth reading.

Beautiful poems that touch deeply!

They have the power to move our souls and make us feel emotions we never thought possible.

There is no need for false complexity in these poems. They are written with honest and simple words that cut straight to the heart.

These poems speak of love, loss, hope, and dreams. They capture the essence of life in all its beauty and sadness.

When we read them, we are transported to another world, a world where emotions are raw and real.

We can feel the pain of the poet's heartbreak, the joy of their newfound love, and the hope that shines through even in the darkest of times.

Beautiful poems that touch deeply are a gift to us all. They remind us of the power of words and the beauty that lies within us all.

Hearing Maya Angelou’s voice read her poetry is truly a remarkable experience that is always worth my time. I have a deep love for listening to the author-narrated audiobook of her poems of celebration. These poems span a wide variety of commemorations, offering a rich tapestry of emotions and perspectives. One poem that stood out this year (2023) was the tree lighting poem, Amazing Peace. In a world where we are witnessing ongoing war in Gaza and Ukraine, the words of peace in this poem hold an especially powerful significance. They serve as a reminder of the importance of striving for peace and unity in the face of conflict. Maya Angelou’s poetry has the ability to touch our hearts and souls, and her voice brings these words to life in a way that is both moving and inspiring.

I had the pleasure of experiencing this work through audio. Maya Angelou's voice is truly captivating. It has a unique charm that combines the wisdom of a sage and the warmth of a loving grandma, instantly wrapping me in its embrace.

Celebrations is a remarkable collection. It is not only beautiful but also highly accessible. Whether you are new to Angelou's works or looking to broaden your reading of black poets, this collection is definitely worth a try.

If you have a preference for audio, find a quiet corner with soft lighting, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and let Angelou's voice bring the words on the page to life. It's an experience that will transport you to another world and leave you with a sense of wonder and inspiration.