I just heard that Maya Angelou, the American author, poet, dramatist, essayist, civil-rights activist, producer, and more for she was an astonishingly prophetic and powerful voice over many decades, died today at the age of 86. She leaves a huge body of work that will not be forgotten, and a lasting legacy for generations who listened to her and read her.

I have been trying to remember the first time I came across Angelou. I know it was as a teenager and I was blown away by what she said, and perhaps even more by how she said it during a TV interview. It is strange that I cannot remember the reason for her speaking (though I think it may have been around the time of Artists United Against Apartheid in the 80s), but I sure remember the impact it had.

Rest in Peace, Maya, and thank you for all that you have given the world.

One of my favourite poems or hers below:

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks
of another breeze
and the trade winds soft
through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting
on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands
on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts
on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped
and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

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.

 

Maya Angelou