Her Voice

Maya Angelou 1928-2014

Nothing is permanent
except perhaps that voice
that rose like pure unadulterated air
beyond the pale of all tomorrows.

She breathed in a spiritual essence and
exhaled words etched with attitude,
imbued with a certitude that just being could
be stone cold but also light, so light,

that the dust left after
life's grinding and pummeling
would drift into the atmosphere,
pushed by the winds of strength

propelled by her lyrical prose
that spoke to the broken parts of all of us,
smoothing the edges with the graceful
unbowed cadence of her eternal dignity.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

she had such grace, such dignity, such words...

beautiful tribute to one of the most peaceful rocks we have ever had to lean on...her words got us through such turbulent times...she was stern and gentle all in one.

Maya, and Gwendolyn...two of the really class acts in poetic society.

thanks for this, Anne.

i miss your words when they are not around.
jacob

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for those words jacob. They mean a lot. Love Gwendolyn too...my favorite poem of hers is We Real Cool. It's a sad day to lose such a vibrant and strong talent. She spoke with just eloquence and style. She will be missed. Thank you again.

[icelandicblue]

I meant such eloquence...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i knew what you meant...and yes, "we real cool"

in my lit class that is the first poem i teach my students because it has the four elements that make poetry different from prose....length of line, sound, rhythm and compression...all so well combined...
interesting too, when that poem first came out, it was banned in high schools...they couldn't teach it because they said it promoted bad behavior...good grief.

and it was interesting when Gwendolyn said why she wrote it...she saw seven kids standing outside a pool hall in Harvey Illinois...and had no idea whether they were off school legitimately or not...and didn't know what they were doing...it just struck her and gave her the idea for a poem...all the more reason not to try to figure out the poet, but just enjoy the poem and see what we see as readers..Gwendolyn was also a beautiful person...i got to see her speak three times...once at john a. logan where i teach and twice at SIU...each time she stayed after for hours and signed books and talked to each one of us as she did...she won the pullitzer the year i was born...she and i had a good laugh over that...she asked me if i read the notices that she was going to get it...i said no, that i was still inside my mother...

i only wish i had also had the chance to meet Maya...i am sure she would have been as sweet one on one...

[icelandicblue]

Wow jacob...you've certainly expanded my poetic horizons. How wonderful that you met Gwendolyn Brooks. I know you must be one fantastic teacher.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i really love it!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and i have also gotten so much great inspiration from my old professors and from meeting such people as Gwendolyn Brooks...she was so kind and down to earth...lovely person...
with such inspiration...the path gets clearer and easier to follow.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A well captured tribute in a flowing verse.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I can only believe, she'd be most proud of this. Your words capture her brilliance with repeated ovations!


My best,
Kelly

[icelandicblue]

That is a high compliment. Thank you Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

...you are most welcomed!

[Einstein Noodle]

have not read her .. but i will now .. your poem is such a melancholy passion .. heartfelt .. and you inspire me ..
E.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Einstein. I think you'd like her work.

[HungryGhost]

This is stunning, with a beautiful choice of words. Brilliant :) !

[icelandicblue]

Again thank you. I will be sure to visit your work soon.

[BlackRose]

LOVE it! Such grace dances on the words of this piece. LOOOOVE her. She is one of my fab poets pf all time. I would have met her at one time few years ago but she became sick. And the other time after that I missed it somehow. I was so disappointed I did. You describe her well with such beauty and admoration. Fabulously done. And still this poem rises.

[Sasha]

Wow..
This is one great writing :)

[lee von cleef]

sound a frequency that can shatter or heal, a touch, the light of knowing as I step into a room, your cadence, gives her grace.

[KeeD]

She really did have a voice, and yours echoes in her steed. Such a fine tribute and indeed nothing is permanent but her voice will always resonate and your poem makes sure she'll never be forgotten.

[Dr. Wood ?]

beautiful words, Unfortunately I am ignorant as regards Maya Angelou...us Brits R so unrefined

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Doc...you Brits have certainly contributed to poetry on a grand scale. Good to see you.

[Dr. Wood ?]

we all hide behind Shakespeare in shame