Angelou's poetry is an intense body of literature that truly deserves a slow and attentive reading. Her words have the power to move and inspire, to make us think deeply about the world around us and our place in it.

Some of her poems are like anthems to a freedom and equality that we must strive for every day. They speak to the human spirit's longing for justice and fairness, and they remind us that the fight for these ideals is ongoing.

Whether it's through her vivid imagery, her powerful metaphors, or her lyrical language, Angelou's poetry has the ability to touch our hearts and souls. It is a testament to her talent as a writer and her unwavering commitment to social change.

If you are in search of wonder, beauty that takes your breath away, deep insights that make you think, stimulation for your mind, inspiration to fuel your creativity, rhythm and rhyme that make your heart dance, and language that simply shines like a bright star in the night sky... then this is the perfect choice for you.

If you have never had the pleasure of reading the works of Angelou, I implore you to do so. If you have never witnessed a poet, a guru, a Goddess in the act of speaking, please don't miss this opportunity. If you have never been inspired and enlivened by the spirit of humankind, that which transcends the limitations of the mundane, lifeless, and work-a-day world, then it's time to take action.

Get this book and, as Red so aptly states in Shawshank Redemption, "You got to either get to living or get to dying." Don't allow the world to drag you down. Let Maya Angelou bring you up to the Mountain Top, revealing the celestial possibilities that are inherent in all of mankind and womankind. Amen!

I love Angelou's prose and until now I only knew a few scattered poems. However, what a treasure this book is. The only thing is that it is not bilingual. Otherwise, it is one gem after another.

Angelou's writing has always had a profound impact on me. Her words seem to have a magical power that can touch the deepest part of my heart. In this book, I was able to explore her prose in more depth and discover new layers of her talent.

Although the lack of a bilingual version was a bit disappointing, it did not overshadow the beauty of the content. Each page was filled with vivid descriptions, powerful emotions, and thought-provoking ideas. It was like taking a journey through Angelou's mind and experiencing her world.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves literature and wants to be inspired by the works of a great writer. It is truly a masterpiece that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

Dawn offers

innocence to a half-mad city. It is as if a new beginning is bestowed upon the chaos, bringing a glimmer of hope and purity.

The tacit fact is:

the awful fear of losing

is not enough to cause

a gleeing love

to stay. Love, it seems, has its own will and cannot be bound by the mere dread of its departure.

On late evenings when

quiet inhabits my garden

when grass sleeps and

streets are only paths

for silent mist

I seem to remember

Smiling. In those moments of tranquility, the memories of happier times resurface, and a smile不自觉地 plays on my lips, as if to remind me that there is still beauty and joy to be found in this world, even in the midst of its madness and uncertainties.

The actual rating of this collection is 3.7 stars.

I truly loved the majority of the poems within this compilation. They had a certain charm and beauty that captivated my heart. However, there were a few poems that just didn't resonate with me.

Perhaps the reason for this was that I wasn't fully familiar with the sociocultural contexts within which those particular poems were written.

It made it a bit difficult for me to fully understand and appreciate the deeper meanings and emotions that the poet was trying to convey.

Nevertheless, the overall collection was still quite impressive, and I would recommend it to others who have an interest in poetry.

Maybe they would be able to understand and connect with those poems that I didn't, based on their own unique perspectives and experiences.

Honestly, most of them feel unfinished or at least unrevised, and that's not really something I can appreciate.

There are some that I liked, but I definitely won't be a huge fan of Angelou's poetry. However, I'll try with her autobiographies.

Some of my favourites include: "These Yet to Be United States", "Passing Time", "Senses of Insecurity", "My Guilt", "When I Think About Myself", "To a Freedom Fighter", "After", "On Diverse Deviations".

And "We Saw Beyond Our Seeming":

"We saw beyond our seeming / These days of bloodied screaming / Of children dying bloated / Out where the lilies floated / Of men all noosed and dangling / Within the temples strangling / Our guilt grey fungus growing / We knew and lied our knowing / Deafened and unwilling / We aided in the killing / And now our souls lie broken / Dry tablets without token."

This poem really触动 me deeply. The vivid descriptions and powerful emotions expressed in it make me think about the state of the world and our own responsibilities. It makes me realize that we can't turn a blind eye to the suffering and injustice around us. We need to take action and make a difference.

Overall, while I may not be a huge fan of all poetry, there are definitely some works that have the power to move and inspire me. I look forward to exploring more of the literary world and discovering new treasures.

With the passing of Maya Angelou, a remarkable literary figure, I felt a strong urge to explore some of her works that had eluded my attention previously.

Earlier this summer, I completed reading "I Know Why a Caged Bird Sings," which provided a profound and moving insight into her life.

Recently, I have finished "The Complete Collected Poems." Like any anthology of poems, it contains a diverse range of pieces, some of which resonate more deeply with me than others.

Among my favorites are "Pickin Em Up and Layin Em Down," which has a unique rhythm and charm. "Poor Girl" tells a story of hardship and resilience. "Prisoner" offers a powerful perspective on confinement and longing for freedom. "Song for the Old Ones" is a beautiful tribute to the elderly. "Phenomenal Woman" is an empowering anthem that celebrates the strength and beauty of women. "Men" provides an interesting take on the male gender. "One More Round" is a lively and energetic piece. "Amoebaean for Daddy" is a touching and personal poem. "Human Family" emphasizes the unity and commonality of all humanity. "When Old Folks Laugh" captures the joy and wisdom of the elderly.

Although Angelou may not be at the top of my list of favorite poets, I have a great deal of respect for her as a poet. Her works are a testament to her creativity, talent, and ability to touch the hearts of readers. This book is definitely worth reading, as it offers a rich and diverse collection of poems that will inspire, move, and challenge you.

I had the opportunity to read some of Maya Angelou's work for the very first time, and I must say it was an absolutely stunning experience.

Her words have a power and beauty that is truly captivating. It has been quite a while since I have come across such amazing poetry.

Each line seems to be carefully crafted, filled with deep emotions and profound insights.

Angelou's ability to paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind through her words is truly remarkable.

I found myself completely immersed in her work, and it left a lasting impression on me.

I can't wait to explore more of her poetry and discover the hidden gems within.

It's safe to say that Maya Angelou has become one of my favorite poets, and I highly recommend her work to anyone who appreciates the beauty of language and the power of poetry.

Maya's poetry has an extraordinary power that can touch and move any soul.

Her words are like gentle whispers that penetrate deep into the recesses of our hearts, awakening emotions and memories we may have long forgotten.

With each line, she weaves a tapestry of vivid images and profound thoughts that draw us in and make us feel as if we are a part of her world.

Whether it is a poem about love, loss, or the beauty of nature, Maya's words have the ability to connect with us on a deeply personal level.

Her poetry is a testament to the power of language and the human spirit, and it has the potential to inspire and transform us in ways we never thought possible.

A poem by Maya Angelou anytime is a fine good read.

Her words have the power to touch the deepest recesses of our souls and leave us with a profound sense of inspiration.

Very now and then I like to take a big huge dose of her great work.

It's like a rejuvenating elixir that revitalizes my spirit and makes me see the world in a whole new light.

Her poetry is a celebration of life, with all its joys and sorrows, and it offers a unique perspective on the human experience.

Whether it's a powerful ode to love or a poignant meditation on loss, Maya Angelou's words always manage to strike a chord within me.

I find myself getting lost in her beautiful language and imagery, and before I know it, I've been transported to a different place and time.

Reading her poems is truly a transformative experience, and one that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a little bit of magic in their lives.

I hold Maya Angelou as an icon in my mind, a true source of wisdom and grace. Her works have always inspired me and this collection is no exception. It not only showcases her profound wisdom but also reminds me that she was a brilliantly passionate, and at times, even angry black woman. Reading her poetry, I was sometimes uncomfortable, yet often deeply moved. There were lines that I had to read two or three times to fully grasp their meaning and power. And always, always, I was in awe of her talent and the way she could express complex emotions and ideas with such simplicity and beauty. That, to me, is the essence of good poetry.

Plus, my very favorite Angelou one-liner: "Does my sassiness upset you?" This line perfectly captures her bold and fearless spirit. It's a question that challenges the status quo and dares others to question their own prejudices and assumptions. It's a line that makes me smile and nod my head in agreement, because it's so true to who Maya Angelou was as a person and as a poet.

Tanto la sabiduría como la ternura toman tiempo. Cuesta aprender a ser tierno, cuesta aprender a ser sabio. De ahí que en la buena poesía haya una condensación de edades, que los buenos poetas, incluso siendo jóvenes poetas, tengan el alma atravesada por las eras. Maya Angelou tuvo siempre la antigüedad de un continente, y cada palabra en su poesía está íntimamente atravesada de esa certeza. Leerla es permitirse escuchar, al ritmo de blues, la respiración de una tierra vieja, negra y fértil.

Este libro de poemas recoge ampliamente su obra, compila cuatro poemarios organizados cronológicamente, lo que permite un acercamiento tanto detallado como panorámico a la producción de la autora. Se trata de una poesía enfocada en dos frentes: el primero, de corte intimista, abunda en las situaciones autobiográficas; el segundo, de corte político, se centra en la experiencia negra en los Estados Unidos. Lo más interesante es ver, en ambos casos, las zonas de encuentro, los versos donde ambos temas se confunden para crear la voz particular de la poeta.

La apuesta estética de Angelou está, entonces, en esa condensación de significados, donde su vida particular se recubre con la historia colectiva de un pueblo. Desde allí, desde ella que es otros (y aquí la máxima de Rimbaud cobra un sentido distinto), habla de la enfermedad y la muerte, de la soledad de los exiliados, de la libertad como centro en la existencia (ya sea por su presencia o su ausencia), del erotismo sin complejos de un cuerpo dispuesto a afirmarse como fiesta. En su búsqueda de identidad, en su defensa, Angelou no deja de reconocerse profundamente americana; su poesía pertenece a la tradición afirmativa de Whitman: una celebración de la vida, la naturaleza, la ciudad y el cuerpo.

Como punto extra a lo ya dicho, me queda por mencionar todavía el sentido musical de estos poemas. El ritmo y la rima aproximan la lectura en voz alta a la canción, hay un son inconfundible en la lectura. Me alegra mucho haberla leído, con esa alegría particular que da encontrar buenos poetas. Les dejo dos últimos versos, bellos y eléctricos, a modo de anzuelo. Lean a Angelou:

Dawn offers
innocence to a half-mad city. (203)

P.D: Los votos de los usuarios de Goodreads le dieron, este año, el galardón a mejor libro de poesía a uno de Rupi Kaur. Le voy a dar el chance, con Angelou todavía reciente en la memoria. Ya veremos si está a la altura de la marejada.