Tribute to Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou, the acclaimed poet, storyteller, social activist, and autobiographer passed away on May 28. Her life and her works transcended boundaries and influenced generations. Here are some poems sent by our readers, recognising this fearless icon.
- Farewell Dr. Maya Angelou
Only you know why
The caged bird sings
You have been taken
From us
Now under the Lord's
wings
You assured us
That nobody can make it
Out here alone
And life doesn't frighten you
Because you're solid as a stone
A phenomenal woman
God's very own
Always trying to be a rainbow
In someone's cloud
Your words were so profound
But on the pulse of morning
You have us mourning
Your passing time
You have made such a positive
Impact on mankind
It's really hard to fathom
We wish your day was not done
But it is
It is done
And we say thank you
For truly inspiring
Through your kind words
You were one of the world's
finest pearls
Dr. Maya Angelou
Indeed we are hurt
To say Farewell
You will forever be missed
Here on earth
As you were one of
The world's greatest gifts
- Theresa Peters
- Ode to Maya Angelou
On the pulse of the morning,
a phenomenal heart took on a grey silence;
and the sun was wrung dry of all its colours.
The willows held their voices,
and Isaiah's lamentation is renewed "... weeping
for the daughter of my people."
You made little boys of the odds,
created a shrine of determination
and wrote with fiery grace...
The world ate from your palms
and drank from the fountain of your prolific
mind.
Time danced to your tunes
and emblazoned your name on the chest of history.
You released the cage birds, regal, redeemed -
They took to the sky to sing, and sing they did.
But on the pulse of the morning,
a phenomenal heart took on a grey silence,
an iconic pen begins to sleep...
- Rohan Facey
- You have inspired me
I was hoping to grace the stage of your presence one day,
But that anticipation has vaporised into a shadow few days ago.
I've been shaken by the vibration of this saddening reality,
That you have been taken from us,
You've been taken away from me.
Behind the veil of social media,
Dr. Maya Angelou you've inspired me.
On the wings of your words you've spilt wisdom,
To instruct the minds that weren't taught how to think,
And to eradicate the sting of segregation,
Out of the hearts of Whites and the skins of the Blacks.
Your life inscriptions we can never forget,
The many tears you have cried when you were younger,
And the laughter you shared when you grew older,
Maya Angelou,
There are so many things about you to remember.
You were a phenomenal woman,
A teacher that preached prophetically through each of your books,
You've created your own lock for the 'wanted' - racism, that old crook.
You were a woman phenomenal,
A phenomenal woman.
You've trod the rugged streets rough,
With fighting feet, Maya you were tough.
You wore the garment of courage,
Despite the arrows of bitter twisted lies.
You glowed in the midst of darkness,
You were a woman who was wise.
From the cage of this world, you flew away.
You're not with us anymore, not even today.
Dr. Maya Angelou,
Our hearts are broken.
Even though you've encouraged us to stand,
Our feet are weak, they have been shaken.
You were a Giant to many,
A friend to Barack Obama,
We esteem you legendary.
With prayers strong we hold up your family.
We cannot say goodbye, so we'll say hello,
Dr. Maya Angelou.
RIP...
- Daron Chosen Smith
- We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. - Maya Angelou