A review by rachbreads
Poems: Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie/Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well/And Still I Rise/Shaker, Why D by Maya Angelou
4.0
So I must admit I am not a huge poetry lover. I have always found it difficult to connect with poetry the way I do with a story in prose. However, in an attempt to challenge myself, I decided to commit to reading at least one volume of poetry this year and I am glad that I chose Dr. Maya Angelou's book.
Despite me not loving poetry, I can't help but admire how Angelou is able to express herself through words. The language she uses is so evocative. I appreciated the role imagery played in making her subjects come to life; I think it helped me grasp the poetic concepts.
I felt particularly inspired by her poems on racial justice, some of which were very intentional in calling out white people. One of my favorites from this collection was "Family Affairs" in which a black narrator speaks to a white woman who has lived her life safe in an ivory tower while black women were sold into slavery, dragged across Africa's beach "pulled by dusty braids." One day, the white woman decides for trivial reasons to climb down and "step lightly over / My centuries of horror / And take my hand, / Smiling call me / Sister." The narrator responds - "Sister, accept / That I must wait a / While. Allow an age / Of dust to fill / Ruts left on my / Beach in Africa", reminding us all of the time that it takes to heal centuries worth of oppression and trauma. This made me stop and think for a long time.
There were other poems that made me laugh, like "The Health-Food Diner" about how she's not really interested in restaurants that don't serve junk food.
All that to say, if you are interested in trying some poetry this year, I recommend you check out Dr. Angelou's collection!
Despite me not loving poetry, I can't help but admire how Angelou is able to express herself through words. The language she uses is so evocative. I appreciated the role imagery played in making her subjects come to life; I think it helped me grasp the poetic concepts.
I felt particularly inspired by her poems on racial justice, some of which were very intentional in calling out white people. One of my favorites from this collection was "Family Affairs" in which a black narrator speaks to a white woman who has lived her life safe in an ivory tower while black women were sold into slavery, dragged across Africa's beach "pulled by dusty braids." One day, the white woman decides for trivial reasons to climb down and "step lightly over / My centuries of horror / And take my hand, / Smiling call me / Sister." The narrator responds - "Sister, accept / That I must wait a / While. Allow an age / Of dust to fill / Ruts left on my / Beach in Africa", reminding us all of the time that it takes to heal centuries worth of oppression and trauma. This made me stop and think for a long time.
There were other poems that made me laugh, like "The Health-Food Diner" about how she's not really interested in restaurants that don't serve junk food.
All that to say, if you are interested in trying some poetry this year, I recommend you check out Dr. Angelou's collection!