This collection of poems is very much a hit-or-miss for me.

To be honest, half of the poems I can't even remember already. It seems that they didn't leave a deep enough impression on me.

However, the other half are just brilliant and beautiful. They touch my heart and soul, making me feel a wide range of emotions.

The language used in these poems is so vivid and powerful that it brings the images and feelings described to life.

I highly recommend this collection of poems to anyone who loves poetry and wants to experience the beauty and power of words.

Although it may not be a perfect collection for everyone, there are definitely some gems in it that are worth discovering.

Angelou delves into sensitive and significant themes with great depth and courage.

However, at times, her writing style gives the impression of a woke individual striving overly hard to appear profound.

This can cause a certain degree of discomfort or cringing in the reader.

While her exploration of these themes is undoubtedly important and valuable, the way she presents them might not always resonate with every reader in the most ideal way.

It is possible that her attempts to be thought-provoking and make a powerful statement sometimes overshadow the beauty and simplicity that could have otherwise enhanced the impact of her words.

Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that Angelou's work has had a profound and lasting influence on literature and society, and her contributions cannot be ignored or diminished.

Despite the occasional drawbacks in her writing style, her ability to address sensitive and important themes remains a remarkable achievement.

This was the very first complete book of poetry that I had ever read.

I was in the fifth grade at that time and had written a book report on it.

When I made the decision to read it once more, the language seemed to come flooding back to me even before I had opened the book.

Maybe it was the strong connection with my own past, but these poems had the power to make me cry.

It wasn't just the sad poems that had this effect; even the ones that were supposed to be joyful could bring tears to my eyes.

The beauty and expressiveness of the language itself were simply enough.

I have my own personal favorites among these poems.

Of course, there is the famous "Phenomenal Woman" and "Still I Rise," but I also have a deep love for "Country Lover" and "Refusal."

Some of these poems, I find myself wanting to revisit whenever I am feeling weak or down.

Perhaps I will have to make this book a permanent fixture on my night stand (or rather, on the floor of my room since I don't actually have a night stand).

It has become such an important part of my literary and emotional journey.