This collection has been saved in the memo on my phone. When I heard the news of her passing today, I found this and decided to post it. I also found a very rough recording where I sang Maya Angelou's poem Phenomenal Woman into my phone and made a video with the words to that poem to share.
As Maya said, "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." I know that's right! If anyone finds it hard to read mixed bits and pieces from poems that they hold dear, please know that my intention is to honor Dr. Maya Angelou, as I hold her dear as well. This previously caged bird continues to find ways to sing. I hope to somehow record the song soon.
In memory..
Timeless,
Maya Angelou
Excerpts referenced below from Maya Angelou poems placed
into song lyric form through Shawna Ray, 2011
Maya
Angelou
Poetry
that penetrates
“In minor note the difference
In major ways we're all the same”
Maya
Angelou
“Birthing’s
hard and dying’s mean
Living's a trial in between”
A
timeless face of grace
"Now thread my voice with lies of light
Force within my mirror eyes
The cold disguise of sad and wise
Decisions" (*3)
"So if today I follow death
Go down it
is a trackless waste
Salt my tongue on hardened tears
My precious dear oh time's waste race" (*4)
“Will you have the grace to mourn me?
Will my writing tell of time?”
Doubt and fear ungainly things
With blushings disappear” (*4)
I think about myself and laugh
“A dance that's walked a song that's
spoke
For when I think about myself
I laugh so hard I almost choke" (*5)
“My folks can make me split my side
“My folks can make me split my side
The tales they tell can sound like
lies
They grow the fruit and eat the rind
I laugh until I start to cry”
Maya
Angelou
Poetry
that penetrates
“In minor note the difference
In major ways we're all the same”
Maya
Angelou
“Birthing's
hard and dying's mean
Living's a trial in between”
A
timeless face of grace
Yes
I will have the grace to mourn you
As
your writing tells of time
“Doubt and fear ungainly things
With blushings disappear”
Maya
Angelou
Poetry
that penetrates
Maya
Angelou
A
timeless face of grace
Excerpts from the follow Maya Angelou poems: 1) Human Family; 2) Is Love; 3) How I Can Lie to You; 4) Mourning Grace; 5) When I Think About Myself)
