Maya Angelou: The Now Free Bird

I am walking around the house trying to make my body do something to give my mind time to catch up with the fact that Maya Angelou has passed away. 

It has been 25 minutes since I found out on Facebook and reposted quotes on Twitter and expressed my grief but somehow that does not seem enough for such a magnificent woman. 

I should be in bed but I don't think I can sleep now so I am going to talk about Maya like we were on a first name basis with each other. The amount of times I cradled her book, 'I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings', to sleep it is like we were. 

Maya the woman who was the flamboyant fashionable scarf across many modern women's shoulders, also had the ability to keep you warm under the musings of truth from the soul, with a dash of inspiration and a wicked smile. 

The full essence of a woman. 

All of the above, but defined by none.

The most powerful impact upon me that she had was the way she spoke about serious issues like child molestation in a powerfully poetic way that leaves your heart in her hands forever, so you can then use your hands to rub away the dirt. 

 Larger than her writing though was her purpose. Her purpose to enlighten, uplift and inspire was achieved every day in her life throughout many continents of the world. The whole world is mourning this woman because her light was so bright, she had a little bit left for us all to share. 

Her impact regarding female empowerment is immeasurable. How many young girls and women picked up a pen because of her? I know I did. 

The perception of Maya by the world is like the perception of an oak tree to a freed bird. 

Whenever I thought about the probability of getting winkles on my face, my mind would switch like a bright light to Maya. I would start thinking according to standard of Maya...

Older = more grace

Older = more eloquence

Older = more creativity

Older = more influence
Older = more beauty

It is better to be older she would have me believe. Then, I would carry that smile of hers and struct my stuff like my young age didn't matter.

She will be the woman who will always be on my mind and her influence will be at the end of my pen. So, I will leave you now with my favourite poem of all time, 'Still I Rise' by the great Maya Angelou. 

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may tread me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you? 

Why are you beset with gloom? 

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken? 

Bowed head and lowered eyes? 

Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you? 

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines

Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you? 

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs? 

Out of the huts of history's shame

I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.  

So I say goodnight.