Remembering

Soft grey ghosts seem to crawl up my sleeve ever so stealthily. They come to peer intently into my eyes, as if trying to uncover some hidden truth. But I, within myself, firmly deny their threats. I answer them with a barrage of lies, hoping to keep them at bay.

Mushroom-like memories perform a strange and solemn ritual on my lips. I find myself lying in a state of stolid hopelessness, feeling completely defeated. And as these memories continue their dance, they lay my soul in strips, leaving it bare and vulnerable.

This is truly a gorgeous, emotional collection. I savored every single word, allowing myself to be completely immersed in the profound emotions and vivid imagery that it evokes. It is a piece that touches the heart and lingers in the mind long after the last word has been read.

Maya Angelou is a remarkable writer who crafts her works with a unique blend of rhythm, verve, anger, celebration, and sexiness. Her poetry is a masterful display of measured lines, balanced stanzas, and rhyming schemes that carry the beautiful music of her spirit. Each poem she writes is like an anthem, whether it is defiant, empowering, confrontational, sensual, or accepting.

Some of my personal favourites from her collection include Caged Bird, Preacher Don't Send Me, On Working White Liberals, Still I Rise, and Equality.

The poem Equality is a powerful piece that speaks volumes. It begins with the lines "You declare you see me dimly / through a glass which will not shine, / though I stand before you boldly, / trim in rank and marking time." Here, Angelou highlights the disparity in perception between herself and those who claim to see her only faintly. She goes on to describe how her message is heard only faintly, like a whisper out of range, while her drums beat out a powerful and unchanging rhythm.

The repeated refrain of "Equality, and I will be free" emphasizes the central theme of the poem. Angelou also touches on the painful history and shameful past that her people have endured, but she remains determined to march forward while others lag behind.

Overall, Maya Angelou's poetry is a testament to her talent and her ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through the written word. Her works continue to inspire and resonate with readers around the world.

"Leaving behind nights of terror and fear,

I rise.

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear,

I rise.

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise.

I rise.

I rise." This powerful poem vividly描绘了一个人从恐惧和黑暗中崛起的过程。夜晚的恐怖和恐惧被抛在身后，迎来了无比清晰的黎明。这个人带着祖先赋予的礼物，成为了奴隶的梦想和希望。每一次的“我崛起”都像是一声坚定的呐喊，表达了对自由、对美好生活的渴望和追求。它激励着我们在面对困难和挫折时，不要放弃，要勇敢地站起来，迎接新的一天。无论过去经历了什么，我们都有能力创造属于自己的美好未来。

The spirit of love that is deeply entrenched in her desire for social change is truly always a breath of fresh air.

It is a remarkable force that drives her to strive for a better world. Her unwavering commitment to making a difference is inspiring.

With love as her guiding principle, she approaches every challenge with kindness and compassion. She understands that social change cannot be achieved through force or aggression but through understanding and cooperation.

Her actions speak louder than words, as she actively engages in activities that promote equality, justice, and fairness. Whether it is through volunteering, advocating for policy changes, or simply being a kind and supportive neighbor, she is making a positive impact on the lives of those around her.

The spirit of love within her is contagious, inspiring others to join her in her quest for social change. She is a true leader, not because of her position or power, but because of her ability to touch the hearts and minds of people and inspire them to take action.

We can all learn from her example and strive to cultivate the spirit of love within ourselves. By doing so, we can make a positive contribution to society and create a more harmonious and just world for all.

Maya Angelou was an absolutely incredible woman to me.

Every time she had the opportunity to meet another human being, she spoke the truth fearlessly.

In this collection, my favorite poem is "Phenomenal Woman", but there are many other poems that have the power to touch anyone's heart.

I am certain that I will be adding this wonderful creation to my library in the future.

This way, I can continue to hear Miss Angelou's powerful and inspiring voice in my ear.

What an amazing gift she has been, and continues to be, to this world.

Her words have the ability to uplift, encourage, and transform lives.

We are truly fortunate to have had her in our midst, and her legacy will live on for generations to come.

Breathe, Brother,

and displace a moment’s hate with organized love.

"Still I Rise" is truly one of my all-time favorite poems. It holds a special place in my heart. Watch her reciting it here, and it will surely melt your heart: https://youtu.be/qviM_GnJbOM. The power and beauty of the words in this poem are simply captivating. It has the ability to touch the deepest emotions within us. Maya Angelou's delivery in the video is nothing short of amazing. Her voice carries the weight and significance of each line, making the poem come alive in a whole new way. It's a truly moving experience to watch and listen to. I highly recommend it to anyone who has not yet had the pleasure of experiencing this wonderful piece of art.

She came to my college to give a lecture.

Unfortunately, as I was the night circulation supervisor in the library, I couldn't go.

But - my favorite literature teacher, Helen Cullins Smith (who was the lady responsible for Ms. Angelou's coming), gave her the poem I'd been inspired to write.

Helen came into the library the next day and gave me an announcement that Maya had signed.

It said "Wanda Lea — Write On!"

I was overjoyed and deeply touched. This simple message from such a renowned author had a profound impact on me.

It made me believe that my writing had value and potential.

Since then, I have continued to pursue my passion for writing, constantly striving to improve my skills.

I'm still reading her works, finding inspiration and wisdom in every word.

Maya Angelou's visit and her kind gesture have truly changed my life.

It has shown me that a single moment of encouragement can have a lasting effect and set us on a path of growth and self-discovery.

I will always cherish this memory and be grateful to both Helen and Maya for their roles in this wonderful experience.

Maya Angelou has become one of my favorite poets.

Not only because of the quality and skill that Maya has to convey emotions through her words, but also because of the strength, the struggle, the tenacity and the deep love for life that her work exudes.

She is a woman who speaks about the abuse she suffered, both as a child, as a woman and as a black person. The struggle of a people who do not remain silent. The love with which she embraces life and experiences, music and art.

I am very sure that I will read her book again and again throughout my life. It is a source of inspiration and wisdom that never fails to touch my heart. Her words have the power to heal, to inspire and to make us see the world in a different way. Maya Angelou is truly a remarkable poet and her work will continue to be relevant for generations to come.

Nada do que eu escrever vai ser perto do que é Maya Angelou.

She is truly one of a kind. The woman is an experience própria pra ser sentida.

Her words have the power to touch the deepest parts of our souls.

She has lived a life full of hardships and triumphs, and through her writing, she shares her wisdom and insights with the world.

Maya Angelou's work is a celebration of the human spirit, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

We can only hope to catch a glimpse of the beauty and power that she possessed through her words.

She is a literary icon, and her influence can be seen in the work of countless other writers.

Her life and work are a testament to the fact that one person can make a difference in the world.

Maya Angelou will always be remembered as a remarkable woman who left an indelible mark on the world of literature and on our hearts.

Absolutely amazing!

This is truly something extraordinary. It's as if all your desires and expectations have been perfectly encapsulated in one single piece. It's like a dream come true. You can feel the essence of her best qualities all merged together, creating a masterpiece that is simply breathtaking. Every detail, every aspect, is just right. It's not just something ordinary; it's a work of art that demands attention and admiration. You can't help but be in awe of it. It's exactly what you've been looking for, and it exceeds all your hopes. It's a treasure that you'll cherish forever, a symbol of her excellence and your connection.

This collection of poetry is truly flawless, just like Maya herself.

I'm admittedly a little biased, as she's one of my all-time favorite writers. However, her humanity and words shine brighter than ever in this collection. It's evident that Maya's themes of race, sex, religion, class, and nationality are constantly at the forefront of her mind.

She was a pioneer for her ideas and the way she conveyed them to both the people within and outside of her community. I always feel a tinge of jealousy when I read her works because I wish I could write with such precision, eloquence, and heartfelt emotion.

Every word, pause, and punctuation holds significance in a Maya Angelou poem or story. I could almost envision her reading them aloud as I was reading in my mind. What a force to be reckoned with!

Some of my absolute favorites include Phenomenal Woman, Still I Rise, Weekend Glory, Human Family, In and Out of Time, The Lesson, Senses of Insecurity, Alone, and so many more. They are all truly amazing.

Try to find me a poet who has as much sass, brass, class, and well, you know the rest. Maya understands the human soul because she is willing to lay bare her entire being.

She has lived through life's experiences, and it is reflected in her work. These poems exude the troubles and tribulations of a hardworking Black American woman striving to find herself in the 20th century.

I have an immense amount of respect for her journey and these poems. And please understand, I'm not even a huge poetry enthusiast, but these are so outstanding that I would highly recommend them to anyone who loves the human spirit and the written word.

Lovely poetry indeed! I've been completely enamored with all these poems that are encrypted so beautifully with profound emotions. They are truly an incredible collection. The selection of words is both catastrophic in its impact and masterful in its artistry.

Some of the lines are simply outstanding. Take, for example, "I note the obvious differences between each sort and type, but we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike." This line beautifully captures the essence of our shared humanity despite our differences.

Another great line is "I note the obvious differences in the human family. Some of us are serious, some thrive on comedy." It highlights the diversity within our species and how we all have our own unique ways of approaching life.

The poem "Life is too busy, wearying me. Questions and answers and heavy thought. I've subtracted and added and multiplied, and all my figuring has come to naught. Today I'll give up living." expresses the exhaustion and frustration that can come with the constant demands of life.

The poem "My life ain't heaven but it sure ain't hell. I'm not on top but I call it swell if I'm able to work and get paid right and have the luck to be Black on a Saturday night" offers a perspective on life that is both realistic and乐观的.

Overall, these poems are a testament to the power of words and the beauty of poetry. They have the ability to touch our hearts, make us think, and inspire us to see the world in a new light.