Professional Reviews
Here are some professional reviews of Maya Angelou by acclaimed critics from all over the country and world:
Tricia Ireland
-Wednesday, March 1, 1995
Last year I went to see Maya Angelou
speak in Oakland. In a low voice she wove for her audience
a night of magic with words of poetry, wisdom and insight.
A year before I had listened along with
the entire country to Maya Angelou read her poem, "On the
Pulse of Morning," at President Clinton's 1993 inauguration.
But it wasn't until I heard she was coming to Chico that I actually set out to read Maya Angelou's poems. I found that her poetry is much like her prose -- beautiful, sad and strong.
"I Shall Not Be Moved"
Random House, 1990
"I Shall Not Be Moved" is a book of poems which relates
to the issues of contention, pain, love, loss and survival.
The narrators vary, bringing out images
we associate with the struggle of being black, being a
woman and being human. In her poem, "Human Family,"
Angelou says, "We are more alike, my friends, than we are
unalike." Titles of these poems include, "Equality,"
and "These Yet to be United States." This collection
of poetry is honest and moving. It accepts the pain of humanity
as natural, and speaks with a hopeful voice for a loss of ignorance.
"Now Sheba Sings the Song"
With Art by Tom Feelings
E.P. Dutton/Dial Books, 1987
One poem -- lovely and touching. The imagery is tangible, the emotion strong and proud. "Now Sheba Sings the Song" is told from the view of a black woman, or maybe many black women, depending on the interpretation. It accompanies wonderful illustrations by artist Tom Feelings.
The book started as a collection of drawings. The pictures are of women, all of whom "have Africa's blood flowing through them," says Feelings in his introduction. The illustrations are heartfelt. Some are simple and some are complex. All of them display the beauty that is woman. Together, the drawings of Feelings and the words of Angelou create an affecting piece -- a treasure. Angelou dedicates the book: To all my black, brown, beige, yellow, red, and white sisters.
"Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Die"
Random House, 1971
There are two sections in this book, each of which contains poetry
about hope and pain. The first section, "Where Love Is a
Scream of Anguish," is a group of poems about the agony of
love. Like memories, these poems are bitter and revealing.
"Come you death, in haste, do come
My shroud of black be weaving,
Quiet my heart, be deathly quiet,
"My true love is leaving" is a stanza from Angelou's poem, "The Gamut."
The second section, "Just Before the World Ends,"
is about racial differences and world affairs. Subjects range
from riots to junkies to the drop of the bomb, and deal with prejudice,
fear and guilt. Many of these poems are written with a humor that
is biting and tragic. I think the most impressive thing about
Angelou's poetry is that it is purely honest. It is able to be
graceful and elegant while, at the same time, it is poignant and
true. Like Maya Angelou's autobiographies, these poems are deeply
felt and imagined.
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