“You may write me down in history with your bitter,
twisted lies, you may trod me in the very dirt.
But still, like dust, I’ll rise”
-Maya Angelou
April is International Black Women’s History Month. In honour of that here we remembering a powerful poet, Maya Angelou.
“The voice she found helped generations of Americans find their rainbow amidst the clouds, and inspired the rest of us to be our best selves”. When Angelou died, Barack Obama described Maya as an inspiration to all Americans.
Maya Angelou was an American author, actress, screenwriter, dancer, poet and civil rights activist. Her words touched people around the world. Her memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which made literary history as the first nonfiction bestseller by an African American woman in 1969.
She was born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 4, 1928. She grew up in St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas. She was best known for her seven autobiographical books: Mom & Me & Mom (Random House, 2013); Letter to My Daughter (Random House, 2008); All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes (Random House, 1986); The Heart of a Woman (Random House, 1981); Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas (Random House, 1976); Gather Together in My Name (Random House, 1974); and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Random House, 1969), which was nominated for the National Book Award. She died in may 2014 at the age of 86.
‘we need joy as we need air.
We need love as we need water.
We need each other as we need the earth we share’
-Maya angelou
She was the first female inaugural poet in U.S. presidential history. In 1993 Angelou recited her poem, “On the Pulse of Morning,” for President Bill Clinton’s inauguration. She became the first African American poet and first female poet to participate in a recitation for a U.S. president’s inauguration. Angelou was bestowed the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barak Obama. The award is distinguished as the highest civilian honor in the United States.
I’m a woman Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman, That’s me.
-Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou published Phenomenal woman in 1995. It appeared in a collection of her amazing poems ‘still I rise’. Maya Angelou, the powerful writer presents a new definition of a phenomenal woman, and in the poem she admire the beauty and self confidence of women. She is saying a phenomenal woman is beautiful despite her skin color. With the amazing lyrics she breaks the stereotypes associated with women, especially coloured women.
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies.
I say, It’s in the reach of my arms, The span of my hips,
The stride of my step, The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.
I walk into a room just as cool as you please,
And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees.
I say, It’s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered What they see in me.
They try so much But they can’t touch My inner mystery.
When I try to show them, They say they still can’t see.
I say, It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style.
I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.
Now you understand Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing, It ought to make you proud.
I say, It’s in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand, The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.
