The dream of equality
Another of my favorite writers and poets is Maya Angelou. I admire her talent and the kind of woman she is. She supports other talented people, especially women.
“No more slavery,
No more slavery,
No more slavery over me.”
Every generation has people born into it who are not necessarily geniuses or Rhodes Scholars, but they are men and women who see life in a different way. I see them in poverty, mostly unschooled, both genders, all religions and races. I see them as they walk through life, avoiding obstacles, rising out of pain, opening areas to any and all who need a hug of encouragement. I believe these people are very special and may even be angels given the gift of life on this plane.
Mays Angelou is one of these people. She walks with the dignity of a Queen and the loving heart of Mother Teresa and Sojourner Truth. She shimmers and shines. Life has not been easy for her.
If you are not familiar with her work, I suggest Even the Stars Look Lonesome, The Heart of a Woman, and The Poetry of Maya Angelou.
She tells a story about Sojourner Truth who was born a slave and fled. She assisted other fugitive slaves through the Underground Railroad and she worked with other women sufragets to earn the vote for women. There is a play about her life called “God and a Woman”.
Maya has a clear, powerful voice that rings with sadness, pain as well as joy and contentment.
Maya Angelou’s wisdom
Lord, In My Heart by Maya Angelou
“Holy haloes
Ring me around
Spirit waves on
spirit sound
Meshach and
Abednego
Golden chariots
Swinging low
I recite them
in my sleep
Jordan’s cold
and briny deep
Bible lessons
Sunday school
Bow before the
Golden Rule
Now I wonder
if I tried
Could I turn my
cheek aside
Marveling with
afterthought
Of my true Christ-
like control
and the nature
of my soul.
Would I strike with
rage divine
Till the culprit
fell supine
Hit out broad all
fury red
Till my foes are
fallen dead”
I think the first time the white middle class became aware of Maya is when she recited her poem, On the Pulse of the Morning, at President Clinton’s inauguration.
What will you do?
What the Lord says
Children learn racism
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