The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

The caged bird, confined within the limits of its small prison, utters a song. The trill it produces is filled with fear, for it knows not what lies beyond the cage. Yet, despite this fear, there is a longing within it for something more, something unknown but deeply desired. Its song travels far and wide, reaching the distant hill. Even though it is trapped, the caged bird continues to sing of freedom. It dreams of a world where it can spread its wings and soar through the sky, unhindered by the bars of its cage. The song of the caged bird is a powerful reminder of the universal longing for freedom that resides within all of us.

There are poems in this collection that I truly love, and there are also some that I think are just mediocre. However, what I deeply admire about Maya Angelou is her unwavering and hopeful outlook on life, despite all its ups and downs.

"Life doesn't frighten me at all / Not at all / Not at all" (46). This line shows her fearless attitude towards life.

"I was born to work up to my grave / But I was not born / To be a slave" (34). It reflects her determination not to be enslaved by life's hardships.

"I may be last in the welfare line / Below the rim where the sun don't shine / But getting up stays on my mind" (47). This expresses her perseverance and hope for a better future.

"You said to lean on Your arm / And I'm leaning / You said to trust in Your love / And I'm trusting / You said to call on Your name / And I'm calling / I'm stepping out on Your word" (50–51). It shows her faith in a higher power.

"I want to thank you, Lord / For life and all that's in it. / Thank you for the day / And for the hour and for the minute. / I know many are gone, / I'm still living on, / I want to thank You" (53). This expresses her gratitude for life.

And of course, the title poem itself is truly fantastic.

I love how she can face the suffering and disappointment in her life and in life in general, and yet still laugh at it and defy it. I hope to have that kind of strength in my own life. Her laughter and perceptiveness make me laugh, especially in a poem like "Lady Luncheon Club." In many of her poems, there is a wonderful ambiguity in whether she is talking about a person, a personification of an idea, her own life, someone else's life, or simply a universal cry to God. I can see all of this in a poem like "Willie," and in many others as well.

4.5 stars

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Poetry is the universal language of cultural identification. It is that essential bond for preserving the treasure in a natural combination with the identity of the people. Few authors manage to keep this connection between the past and the present alive. Maya Angelou is a relevant proof of such a communion. Born in 1928, during the period when racial discrimination was "in full bloom", Angelou was an influential American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, celebrated for her contributions in literature and for her active role in promoting civil rights and racial equality.

She was born with the name Marguerite Annie Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri. Angelou's life and works are remarkable for the exploration of the identity of the African-American woman. Her most famous work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), is an autobiography that details her childhood and adolescence, being appreciated for the way it presents the overcoming of racism and trauma.

Angelou's literary portfolio includes a wide range of genres, including several autobiographies, collections of poems, essays, and plays. Her works often delve into themes such as identity, family, love, and resilience. Besides her literary achievements, Angelou was also known for her eloquent and powerful voice in public speeches, her participation in the Civil Rights Movement alongside figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, and the recitation of her poem On the Pulse of Morning at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993.

Her volume, titled "And Still I Rise", translated by Diana Geacăr at Editura Vellant, is a social fresco of the emancipation and the rediscovery of the female self in a world that overflows with masculine energy. Published in 1978, it is a truly powerful testament of the resilience, courage, and fearless spirit of the African-American experience.

Through her vivid imagery, rhymed verses, and unwavering tone of defiance and hope, Angelou creates a narrative that transcends the personal to capture the universal struggle against oppression and the unceasing search for dignity.

Angelou's poems intertwine the personal and the political, presenting stories of struggle that are not limited to despair but are imbued with an unwavering optimism and strength.

4.5 stars

This collection truly stands out for its remarkable clarity.

The poet has an extraordinary ability to express complex emotions and ideas in a way that is not only easily understandable but also deeply relatable.

Each poem seems to speak directly to the reader's heart, touching on themes that we all experience in our lives, such as love, loss, hope, and growth.

The language used is simple yet powerful, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind and evoking a wide range of emotions.

Whether you are a poetry enthusiast or just someone looking for a moment of inspiration, this collection is sure to leave a lasting impression.

It is a testament to the poet's talent and creativity, and a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty of language and the power of poetry.

I have a deep love for reading books for school. To my great surprise, I found that I really enjoyed annotating them. Among all the works, the last poem, “Thank you, Lord,” became my favorite, even though I have my own reasons for not being religious. Maya Angelou's determination, love, and strength shone through these poems like ripples in a pond.

Her poems were a vivid mix of lively, harsh, cruel, truthful, resilient, and confident. All these qualities were a reflection of Maya Angelou and her indomitable spirit. (Perhaps the word “cruel” is not entirely accurate; it might just be a portrayal of her experiences with cruelty.)

Maya Angelou passed away on May 28th, and coincidentally, I was born on the same day. Despite not having the same life experiences as her, her poems deeply resonated with me. It is no wonder that she was (and still is) regarded as a powerful poet with powerful words. May her legacy and her wonderful poems live on forever.

I assumed I would enjoy this one and I assumed correctly.

This is my first foray into Angelou's poetry (other than listening to random snippets). I have read the first of her autobiographies, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'. The rhythm of her poems is truly captivating. They flow so naturally from the tongue, and her choice of words is simply fascinating. It really makes me dwell on certain words and phrases, rolling them around in my head.

There are numerous themes explored in her poetry, such as love, lust, sex, the body, racism, and slavery. One of my favorite poems is 'Caged Bird'. I particularly relished the first part of the collection, which is divided into four parts in total. However, I didn't quite connect with the couple of poems that had religious overtones, which is not surprising considering my beliefs. Additionally, the poem 'Health Food Diner', which was essentially an ode to meat, didn't resonate with me as I'm a vegetarian. But overall, it's spectacular stuff.

Her poetry has a unique charm that draws the reader in and makes them reflect on various aspects of life. I look forward to delving deeper into her works and uncovering more of her literary gems.

\\n  3.5 stars\\n

These poems are truly enchanting! Maya Angelou's mastery of language is simply remarkable. She weaves words together to create exquisitely crafted poems that brim with palpable emotion.

Here are some of my absolute favorite poems and their most captivating lines.

A Kind of Love, Some Day presents profound insights, such as \\"Hate often is confused. Its limits are in zones beyond itself. And sadists will not learn that love by nature, exacts a pain unequalled on the rack.\\"

Phenomenal Woman is, of course, a classic. The lines \\"Men themselves have wondered what they see in me. They try so much but they can't touch my inner mystery.\\" beautifully capture the essence of a woman's allure.

The Lesson offers a poignant reflection with \\"The years and cold defeat live deep in lines along my face. They dull my eyes, yet I keep on dying because I love to live.\\"

To Beat The Child Was Bad Enough paints a vivid picture with \\"Now cries make shards of broken air, beyond an unremembered hunger and the peace of strange hands.\\"

And Still I Rise is an inspiring anthem, especially with \\"Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise, I rise, I rise.\\"

Life Doesn't Frighten Me conveys a sense of courage and fearlessness with \\"Life doesn't frighten me at all, not at all...\\"

In Retrospect describes the changing seasons in a lyrical way, like \\"Last year changed its seasons subtly, stripped its sultry winds for the reds of dying leaves, lets gelid drips of winter ice melt onto a warming earth and urged the dormant bulbs to brave the pain of spring.\\"

Just Like Job expresses faith and trust with \\"You said to lean on Your arm and I'm leaning, You said to trust in Your love and I'm trusting, You said to call on Your name and I'm calling, I'm stepping out on Your word.\\"

Thank You, Lord is a heartfelt expression of gratitude, as seen in \\"I went to sleep last night and I arose with the dawn, I know that there are others who are still sleeping on, They've gone away, You've let me stay. I want to thnak You.\\" Each of these poems and lines offers a unique perspective and a touch of Maya Angelou's genius.

2025 Reread Review:

I first had the pleasure of reading "And Still I Rise" a decade ago. Since then, time has passed, and I felt that it was long overdue for a reread. I firmly believe that "Still I Rise" and "Phenomenal Woman" are among the most exquisitely beautiful poems ever penned. Even after a decade, my stance remains unwavering. This collection is truly gorgeous. It is always a delight to pick up and have a quick read. It contains two of my absolute favourite poems, with "Still I Rise" holding a special place in my heart. I cannot recommend this collection highly enough. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the power and beauty of poetry.

**Perfection**

Perfection is a concept that has intrigued and eluded humanity throughout the ages. It represents the highest standard of excellence, a state where everything is flawless and without defect.

We strive for perfection in various aspects of our lives, whether it's in our work, relationships, or personal achievements. We pour our hearts and souls into our endeavors, hoping to reach that elusive state of perfection.

However, true perfection is often unattainable. There will always be room for improvement, and no matter how hard we try, we can never completely eliminate all flaws. But this doesn't mean that we should stop striving for perfection. Instead, it should serve as a motivation to constantly push ourselves and do better.

In conclusion, while perfection may be an ideal that we can never fully achieve, the pursuit of it can lead to personal growth and fulfillment. It is through our efforts to reach for the stars that we discover our true potential and create a better version of ourselves.

Not gonna write a detailed review on this one as an abundance of things have already been said about it, both regarding Maya's poetry and Maya herself.