Invigorated, reduced to tears, moved...this collection of poems speaks volumes through the years, fears, triumphs, atrocities, and dreams that it encapsulates. It is as if each word is a thread weaving a tapestry of human experience.

If only I had been fortunate enough to gain the chance to sit down and have a conversation with Maya Angelou herself. To listen to her thoughts, to understand the inspiration behind these powerful works.

Thankfully, "The Complete Collected Poems" exists. It is a testament to her remarkable talent and a gift to the world. Through these poems, she shares her innermost thoughts and experiences, which are far greater than those of just one individual soul. They have the power to touch the hearts and minds of readers across generations, inspiring us, teaching us, and making us more empathetic towards the struggles and joys of others.

This collection is not just a book of poems; it is a journey through the life and times of a remarkable woman, and a celebration of the human spirit.

Simply divine and delightful! This phrase encapsulates a feeling that is truly special. It implies a sense of something being almost otherworldly, filled with a charm and beauty that is captivating. When we encounter something that is simply divine and delightful, it has the power to transport us to a place of pure joy and wonder. It could be a beautiful piece of art, a delicious meal, a breathtaking sunset, or a wonderful moment spent with loved ones. Whatever it may be, it leaves an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. The combination of the words "divine" and "delightful" creates a vivid image of something that is not only pleasing to the senses but also touches our souls. It makes us feel grateful for the simple pleasures in life and reminds us to take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

I have this profound feeling that Maya Angelou is like the female Langston Hughes, but for a new generation. There is that identical rhythm, that same remarkable flair, and that same deep knowing. Of course, every poet aspires to have their own unique voice, and she truly embodies that. It's just that certain aspects of her work possess a Hughes-like quality.

Throughout the book, there are masterful poems galore. A few of my absolute favorites include "Late October" with its gently reflective tone, the impatient "The Telephone," and "He Went Home." There are simply too many wonderful poems to enumerate. Many of them share a sense of loneliness, betrayal, and bitterness, yet that is not the overarching theme of the entire collection.

I am convinced that I need to own this book. It's rather amusing; I have always relished the few Angelou poems that I heard others quote, and I held in high regard the ones that I heard aloud but didn't always fully comprehend. Somewhere along the line, I think I may have underestimated her before reading this anthology. However, I find myself being moved in ways that I never anticipated. This is truly powerful stuff. I suppose it goes to show (at least in my case) that poets are often cherished more after they have passed away. Well, better late than never, I suppose.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars, rounded up.

“You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.”

Poetry is this captivating dichotomy of being both autobiographical and subjective. Every poem reveals something about its poet, yet it is entirely reliant on the life experiences and imagination of its reader to extract any meaning from it. Considering this, some of these poems deeply resonated with me. While others left me completely unmoved or vaguely confused. However, those that spoke to me are what I will remember about this collection.

“History, despite its wrenching pain,
Cannot be unlived, but if faced
With courage, need not be lived again.”

Angelou's style is diverse. Evidently, I am a traditionalist when it comes to poetic forms. I appreciate free-verse as long as it has some structure. I struggled to connect with the less structured of Angelou's poems, but fortunately, this was not the case for her entire body of work, as her style was so fluid and constantly evolving.

“We are born in pain, then relief comes.
We are lost in the dark, then day breaks.
We are confused, confounded, and fearful,
Then faith takes our hand.
We stumble and fumble and fall,
Then, we rise.”

I continuously reminded myself that this was not a traditional collection where the poet had carefully selected each poem to represent a particular theme, period in their life, or some other unifying quality. This book gathered every poem Angelou ever wrote. No one can produce profound and flawless art every time their pen touches the page. But within these pages, there were some incredibly powerful poems, lines that stir emotions, shake the core, or move hearts in indescribable ways. I can clearly understand why Angelou had such a significant impact on society, both through her life and her poetry. I may not have loved every poem in her body of work, but I am very glad to have read them.

I ordered this book the day I heard about the death of Maya Angelou.

This beautiful hard cover book was delivered the very next day. As soon as I received it, I dropped all of my other reading, which was The Good Lord Bird, to experience the world of poetry by Maya Angelou.

What a wonderful book it is! It is filled with some of her most popular poems like Phenomenal Woman and Still I Rise. However, it also contains lesser known poems that should have a place alongside the popular ones.

These poems have varied themes about relationships, family, love, and what it is to be a woman. There is always a tinge of African-American culture in them.

If you haven't read any of Maya Angelou's poems or you're just interested in reading outstanding, lyrical poetry, this is a perfect place to start. I'd also suggest picking up this particular well-made beautiful edition as a keepsake or as a gift for a poetry lover.

I know I'll cherish mine dearly and will read it over and over again.

James Baldwin said "You will hear the regal woman, the mischievous street girl; you will hear the price of a black woman's survival and you will hear of her generosity. Black, bitter, and beautiful, she speaks of our survival." (quoted from the inside flap of the book)

It is truly a must read in American poetry!

Maya Angelou: The Complete Poetry is an outstanding collection that brings together the totality of Maya Angelou's published poetry, consisting of no less than 180 poems. The beauty of Maya's poetry lies in the fact that one can truly hear a soulful melody within the words. The rhythm is both poignant and warm. She handles emotions with fluency and an uncommon simplicity that is particularly enjoyable for poetry lovers. However, because many of her poems are characterized by a song-like quality, Maya Angelou: The Complete Poetry can also be read by almost anyone who appreciates beautiful sounding words.


Personally, I am always more overwhelmed by Maya Angelou herself than by anything else. She breathes life into everything. The intensity of her phrasing and her rhythmic presence often undermine or perhaps overpower her works when not delivered by her personally. That is why it is best to watch or hear her deliver these poems to enhance the enjoyment.


What I also like to do is read and then re-read her poems to discover the hidden meanings within her words, of which there are plenty. The game of finding alternative or hidden meanings is a delight.


My one complaint is that if only “We Had Him” were included in this collection of gems. Maya touched my very soul with that heartfelt poem she wrote for Michael Jackson, and I truly wished it was within the pages of this book.


All in all, Maya Angelou: The Complete Poetry is powerful and unfeigned. It is a necessity for any reader's bookshelf.

This is truly a wonderful book that is good for the soul.

I had read many of Maya Angelou's books before, so I had read many of the poems before.

However, as I read through them all with this reading -- in less than a day -- I found myself once again inspired, moved, touched, and so much more.

The power of her words is simply astonishing.

Each poem seems to have a life of its own, breathing and speaking to the reader on a deep and personal level.

It's as if Maya Angelou is right there with you, sharing her experiences, her emotions, and her wisdom.

I am sure I will return and read this book a few more times.

It's a book that you can dip into again and again, and each time you will discover something new and beautiful.

It's a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, and it will continue to inspire and move you in ways that you never thought possible.

In an ongoing and resolute effort to decenter whiteness within the literary landscape, I have been making a conscious and concerted attempt to diversify my reading material by delving into the works of more authors of color. Specifically, my focus has been on the voices and perspectives of more women of color. This particular journey led me to Maya Angelou, and it was my first genuine foray into her remarkable body of work. I embarked on the ambitious task of reading her complete works cover to cover, eager to immerse myself in the rich tapestry of her words, experiences, and insights.

As I turned each page, I was captivated by the power and beauty of Angelou's prose. Her writing is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit, and it offers a profound and nuanced exploration of themes such as race, gender, identity, and love. Through her works, I gained a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs of women of color, and I was inspired by her unwavering commitment to truth and justice.

This reading experience has not only broadened my literary horizons but has also challenged me to examine my own biases and assumptions. It has made me more aware of the importance of amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups and has motivated me to continue seeking out and celebrating the works of diverse authors.

Extraordinary

In our world, there are truly extraordinary things and people that stand out. These extraordinary elements have the power to inspire, amaze, and change our perspectives. An extraordinary event might be a once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomenon, like a total solar eclipse that leaves us in awe of the universe's grandeur. Or it could be an individual's extraordinary achievement, such as a scientist who discovers a revolutionary cure for a disease. Extraordinary acts of kindness can also touch our hearts, like when a stranger selflessly helps another in a time of need. These extraordinary moments and individuals remind us that there is always more to discover and experience in life. They push us to strive for more, to reach beyond our limits, and to believe in the possibility of the extraordinary. Whether it's in the fields of art, science, sports, or simply in our daily lives, the extraordinary has the potential to make a lasting impact and leave a mark on the world.

Although I have read many, if not all of her prose autobiographies, it was through this collection of poetry that I truly realized how little I knew about Maya Angelou.

Her words in the poems revealed a side of her that I had not anticipated. She was far more passionate, with a depth of emotion that seemed to leap off the page. The sensuality in her poetry was palpable, adding a layer of richness and complexity to her work.

And there was also anger, a fierce and powerful force that she channeled into her writing. Some of the poems were truly marvelous, their beauty and insight leaving me in awe.

However, there were also some that I really did not understand, their meanings eluding me. But even those poems were an education, challenging me to think more deeply and to explore new ideas.

Reading all of her poetry was an experience that I will not soon forget, and it has given me a newfound appreciation for the genius of Maya Angelou.

WHEN YOU COME TO ME

When you come to me, unbidden,

gently beckoning me

towards those long-ago rooms,

where a plethora of memories lie dormant.

It's as if you are offering me, like a precious gift to a child, an attic

filled with the gatherings of days that seem all too few.

There are the baubles of stolen kisses,

the trinkets of borrowed loves,

and the trucks of secret words that we once shared.

As I am presented with these treasures from the past,

emotions well up within me and I can't help but cry.

The floodgates of my heart open wide,

and I am overcome with a mixture of nostalgia, longing, and a sense of bittersweetness.

For in these memories, there is both joy and pain,

love and loss,

and a reminder of a time that will never return.

Such a beautiful and heartfelt read. It truly touched my soul. My favorite poem had to be Still I Rise. The words just leaped off the page and into my heart. My favorite line being: "You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise." Maya is such an inspirational and captivating woman. Her work has the power to move and inspire. I'm so happy to have read some of her work. It has opened my eyes to a new world of beauty and emotion. I plan to read more soon and have more of Maya in my life. :)

Her words are like a light in the darkness, guiding us through the difficult times. They give us hope and courage to face whatever comes our way. I can't wait to explore more of her poetry and discover the hidden gems within. Maya's work is a true gift to the world, and I feel privileged to have experienced it.