This is truly beautiful.

After having read 'I know why the caged bird sings', I found myself deeply interested in exploring some of Angelou's poetry. On the recommendation of my mother, I chose this particular collection.

Angelou's use of language and form is not only refreshing but also strikingly unique. Her boldness in addressing sensitive topics such as race and sexism is truly admirable.

My favorite poems in the collection emerged early on. They were mostly shorter pieces that seemed to offer a fascinating snippet into Angelou's mind in a very relatable and lovely manner. However, the collection as a whole was simply amazing. There were only one or two poems that, in my opinion, fell slightly short of the extremely high bar that Angelou had set with her autobiographical novels.

Nevertheless, this collection of poetry is a remarkable work that showcases Angelou's extraordinary talent and her ability to touch the hearts and minds of readers through her words.

The powerful words "Take the blinders from your vision, take the padding from your ears, and confess you’ve heard me crying, and admit you’ve seen my tears" urge us to open our eyes and ears to the reality around us. We are called upon to be more aware of the cries and tears of others.

The lines "Hear the tempo so compelling, hear the blood throb in my veins. Yes, my drums are beating nightly, and the rhythms never change" create a vivid image of a passionate and unwavering spirit. The continuous beating of the drums represents the constant pursuit of a cause.

Equality, and I will be free. This final statement is a powerful proclamation. It expresses the longing for equality and the belief that achieving it will bring freedom. It serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in creating a more just and equal world.

Maya Angelou is truly wonderful. One of my favorites from her collection is "The Detached".

We die, welcoming bluebeards into our darkening closets, and stranglers to our outstretched necks. These stranglers neither care nor care to know that death is internal.

We pray, savoring the sweet teethed lies, and bellying the grounds before alien gods. These gods neither know nor wish to know that hell is internal.

We love, rubbing the nakedness with gloved hands and inverting our mouths in tongued kisses. These kisses neither touch nor care to touch if love is internal.

Maya Angelou's words in this poem are so profound and thought-provoking. They make us reflect on the true nature of death, hell, and love, and how they are all internal experiences that we must face within ourselves. Her use of vivid imagery and powerful language draws us in and makes us feel the emotions and ideas she is expressing. It is no wonder that she is such a beloved and respected poet.

As with all collections, my rating refers to my overall impression, an informal average.

In this set of poems, I discovered several that I adored for their rhythm and rhyme. The cadence and musicality of these verses were truly captivating, drawing me in and making me want to read them over and over again.

There were also several others that I loved for their content. The words were so powerful and moving, touching on themes such as love, loss, and identity. They made me think deeply about my own life and experiences.

However, there were some poems that stirred up my feelings in a different way. They were powerful and disturbing, making me feel a range of emotions from sadness to anger. But I admire Angelou for her ability to evoke such strong emotions in her readers.

Only a few of the poems left me uninterested. But overall, I would strongly recommend this poetry, especially to women. Angelou has a strong feminist voice as well as a voice for African-Americans. She captures the anger as well as the pride, the hope and the despair, in a way that is both beautiful and poignant. Her words have the power to inspire and transform, and I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience her poetry.

It always seems to me that the meaning of poetry is lost in translation. I don't really think I can understand it very well, and I can't give reading poetry its due. But I also couldn't help reading how this powerful woman wrote poems when I read her autobiographical series. The anger and hope she described in her writings are also reflected in her poems. I think if I read her poems alone, I still couldn't understand them very well. Those who read her autobiography should also take a look at her poems.

This work gets a rating of 3.5/5. It has its own charm and value, although there may be some limitations in translation and understanding. However, it still allows readers to have a certain understanding and feeling of the author's thoughts and emotions.

Some of my favorite lines truly stand out.

Of all the beautiful words she has penned, I simply cannot get this particular one out of my head.

Dawn offers
Innocence to a half-mad city.

This line has such a profound and evocative quality.

Then there's this one which is just...

This bed yawns
beneath the weight
of our absent selves.

It creates a sense of longing and emptiness that is palpable.

And finally, we have this wonderful piece:

Make room for me
to lead and follow
you
beyond this rage of poetry.

It speaks of a desire to break free and explore new frontiers in the world of poetry.

The poems she writes on black violence and black history are not only poignant but also gut wrenching. They touch on deep and important themes that resonate with readers on a profound level. This is truly a fantastic collection, with most of her popular works conveniently collected in one place. It allows readers to fully immerse themselves in her unique and powerful poetic voice.

Sensual.

Clever.

Heartbreaking.

Delightful. These four words can perfectly describe the following story.

Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Lily. She was a sensual being, with a body that moved gracefully and a smile that could melt hearts.

She was also incredibly clever, always able to find solutions to the most difficult problems.

However, her life was not without heartbreak. She had lost the love of her life in a tragic accident, and she had been struggling to come to terms with his death ever since.

Despite her pain, Lily was still a delightful person to be around. She had a kind heart and a great sense of humor, and she always managed to find the good in every situation.

One day, while out for a walk in the park, Lily met a handsome stranger named Jack. He was charming and intelligent, and Lily was immediately drawn to him.

As they spent more time together, Lily began to feel something she thought she would never feel again - love.

But would her past heartbreak prevent her from opening up to this new love? Only time would tell.

The story of Lily and Jack is one that is both heartbreaking and delightful, a tale of love and loss, and of finding the courage to move forward.

Maya Angelou's works are truly precious, worth every page, every stanza, and every word.

Why is Maya Angelou so important? It is because she fearlessly wrote about racism, chauvinism, sexism, xenophobia, America, Africa, love, the countryside, the city, prostitution, mothers, children, murders, without hiding behind any flags.

Her words have the power to shock, inspire, and move us. She uses her pen to expose the harsh realities of the world and to give voice to the voiceless. Through her writing, we can see the pain and suffering of those who have been marginalized and oppressed, and we can also see the strength and courage of those who have overcome great obstacles.

Maya Angelou's works are not only a reflection of her own life experiences, but also a mirror of society as a whole. Her writing challenges us to think about the world we live in and to take action to make it a better place.

WHAT A PHENOMENAL WOMAN!!!!!!!

Half of these collection of poems now live on my camera roll. I could say so much about them. Maya Angelou has an incredible talent for putting into words the complex experiences of being black, being a woman, being oppressed, and yet still having hope. It's truly remarkable.

Take, for example, the poem she wrote for Oprah's birthday that was featured. It's like a celebration of friendship and womanhood. The way she describes herself in the poem "Phenomenal Woman" is so empowering.

She doesn't fit the traditional mold of a "pretty woman" or a fashion model, but that doesn't matter. She knows her worth and she's proud of it. Her confidence shines through in every line.

The poem is long, but it's definitely worth the read. It makes you feel good about being a woman, no matter what you look like or what your circumstances are.

Maya Angelou was a true inspiration, and her words will continue to touch the hearts of people for generations to come.

POTB (poem of the book bc boss bitch energy) (it’s long but worth ur read):

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

And so on...

It was truly a delight to incorporate some poetry into my reading routine.

And what a remarkable woman and writer she is! Her words have the power to transport the reader to another world, filled with beauty, emotion, and depth.

As I delved into her poetry, I was captivated by the vivid imagery and the profound thoughts she expressed. Each line seemed to hold a hidden meaning, waiting to be discovered.

Her writing style is unique and engaging, making it a pleasure to read. I found myself getting lost in her poems, completely immersed in the world she had created.

Adding her poetry to my reading schedule has been a wonderful experience, and I look forward to exploring more of her work in the future.

Maya Angelou's collection of poetry is not only stunning but also hauntingly beautiful. She was truly an amazing woman who had the ability to touch the hearts and souls of readers with her words.

Her poetry often explored themes of identity, race, and gender, and she did so with a grace and power that was truly remarkable.

The poem "We Are More Alike, My Friends" is a perfect example of her work. In it, she writes about the differences between people, both big and small, but also emphasizes the fact that we are all more alike than we are unalike.

She notes the obvious differences between each sort and type, but also reminds us that at our core, we are all human beings with the same basic needs and desires.

Maya Angelou's poetry is a testament to her talent as a writer and her ability to see the world in a unique and profound way. It is a body of work that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

We all knew this would be incredible, but damn it really was.

From the very beginning, there was an air of anticipation surrounding this event. Everyone was speculating about how amazing it could potentially be.

And when it finally happened, it exceeded all of our expectations. The magnitude of what we witnessed was truly astonishing.

It was like a dream come true. Every moment was filled with excitement and wonder.

The details, the precision, the sheer beauty of it all left us speechless.

We couldn't help but感叹 how lucky we were to have been a part of this truly remarkable experience.

It will be a memory that will stay with us forever, a shining example of what is possible when passion and talent collide.

And we will always look back on this moment with a sense of awe and gratitude.