1. Presentation by Kendal Haverland 2010/2011
Biography
List of Works
Original Poems
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography
Maya Angleou
Presentation by Kendal Haverland 2010/2011

2. Biography Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography
Maya Angelou: An Inspiring Poet “She has seen sorrow, she has experienced pain, yet she inspires all to press on and enjoy the life that has been given to them. Maya Angelou can touch people's hearts, and make them see things they have not seen. Words are tools, and Maya Angelou, a fine craftsman” (“She Infuses Your Soul with Words”). This quote from squidoo.com, explains that Maya Angelou has inspired many people throughout our world with her works of writing. In St. Louis, Missouri, a remarkable woman was born on April 4th, 1928 (“Maya Angelou”, Poets.org). Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, Maya Angelou has traditional African American values and life. At age 3, Angelou’s parents got a divorce (“America’s Renaissance Woman”) and she had to go back and forth between St. Louis, Missouri and Stamps, Arkansas where her grandmother lived (“Global Renaissance Woman”). Living in Stamps, Arkansas with her grandmother, Maya Angelou experienced first-hand brutal racial discrimination. The discrimination made Angelou take on a deep religious faith. When Angelou was eight, she went to visit her mother in Chicago, Illinois. Unfortunately while she was there, her mother’s boyfriend raped her (“America’s Renaissance Woman”). May Angelou was very quiet for about six years after being raped (“Maya Angelou Biography”). In Angelou’s early teenage years, she earned a scholarship from the San Francisco Labor School where she could study dance and drama (“Global Renaissance Woman”). Maya Angelou attended George Washington High School in San Francisco (“Maya Angelou”, Poetry Foundation). At 14, she dropped out of the school, because she had a dream to become the first African-American female cable car conductor. Maya Angelou graduated from high school, and had her son, Guy, at just 17 years old (“Global Renaissance Woman”) (“Maya Angelou Biography”).

3. Biography (Cont.) Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
Once Maya Angelou graduated from high school, she didn’t take any post secondary schooling. At 16 years old she left home and embraced the role of a single young mother. Towards the end of the 1950’s, Maya Angelou became intrigued by developing her ability as a writer. After Maya Angelou moved to New York, she became a member of Harlem Writers Guild (America’s Renaissance Woman”). Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., requested Maya Angelou serve as Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (“Global Renaissance Woman”). In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on Maya Angelou’s birthday; leaving Angelou confounded. Angelou, with the help of James Baldwin, a novelist, found writing to be calming, and started to work on “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. Like many other poets, Maya Angelou has been selected and has won several awards. Angelou was privileged with the Presidential Medal of Arts in 2000 and the Ford’s Theater Lincoln Medal in Her most recent award, in 2011, was presented by President Barack Obama, and is the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom (“America’s Renaissance Woman”). Maya Angelou’s poetry is her form of expressing herself. Her poetry has the ability to touch people’s hearts. Poetry is Angelou’s way of coping with the difficult times she faced while growing up. She has gained strength from the obstacles she went through, and that is why she is a notable, famous person. Maya Angelou’s poetry is distinct because of her incantatory style and boldness; her words are filled with wisdom. Angelou inspires people to realize and embrace the potential everyone holds inside themselves. Maya Angelou’s poetry consists of many poetic devices; including, imagery, repetition, rhyme, hyperboles, and metaphors. Angelou’s poetry is best summed up by Lyman B. Hagen, when he states, “Angelou may rank as a poet of moderate ability, but her poetry is praised for its honesty and for a moving sense of dignity” (“Angelou, Maya Introduction”). Maya Angelou can be summed up in one word: fearless.
Biography
List of Works
Original Poems
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography

4. List of Works Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diiie” Gather Together In My Name Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well Singin’ and Swingin’ and Getting’ Marry Like Christmas And Still I Rise The Heart of a Woman All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing Now Sheba Sings the Song I Shall Not Be Moved “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” “On The Pulse of Morning” Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken and Me A Brave and Startling Truth Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems for Women “Phenomenal Woman” Kofi and His Magic Even the Stars Look Lonesome From a Black woman to a Black Man

5. Analysis Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography
Maya Angelou has written many awe- inspiring and stunning poems. In her poem, “Touched by an Angel”, Angelou shows the power of love. She uses the literary element of imagery in a way that makes it seem real. Imagery is used by the author to recreate a vivid sensory of experiences for the reader. Maya Angelou uses the phrase, “Love strikes away the chains of fear/from our souls”. This represents imagery because it is giving the reader a sense that if they find love, they will be set free from whatever was holding them back. Another example of imagery Maya Angelou uses in this poem is, “Love arrives/and in its train comes ecstasies”. This phrase explains that when love arrives joy and excitement will be found, but it will also have its downfalls, such as depressions or feeling hopeless. “And suddenly we see/that love costs all we are/and will ever be”. This phrase states that love involves risks and sometimes it may be hurtful, but just brush it off because no matter what, someone will always be willing to help or give advice. Maya Angelou uses the imagery of love to refer to the “angel”. The imagery in Maya Angelou’s work allows the reader to feel like they can relate to what she is saying. This poem can be summed up in saying that you never know what you have until it’s gone; so cherish the smaller things in life.
Touched by an Angel
By Maya Angelou
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
And in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love’s light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

6. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Sample Poems
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou, is a remarkable poem that shows how a shy, timid person can have a loud voice when it comes to getting something they would like. “The caged bird sings with/A fearful trill of the things unknown”. This line struck me because it says that despite the unknown, the bird still sings for what he wants. The bird is surrounded by these ‘bars of rage’ yet he imagines what life would be like outside of being in captivity.
Biography
List of Works
Original Poems
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
By Maya Angelou
A free bird leaps on the back Of the wind and floats downstream Till the current ends and dips his wing In the orange sun’s rays And dares to claim the sky. But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage Can seldom see through his bars of rage His wings are clipped and his feet are tied So he opens his throat to sing. The caged bird sings with a fearful trill Of things unknown but longed for still And his tune is heard on the distant hill for The caged bird sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze And the trade winds soft through The sighing trees And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright Lawn and he names the sky his own. But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream His wings are clipped and his feet are tied So he opens his throat to sing. The caged bird sings with A fearful trill of things unknown But longed for still and his Tune is heard on the distant hill For the caged bird sings of freedom.

7. Sample Poems Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
“Weekend Glory” by Maya Angelou is a poem stating that you don’t need to be rich to live a rich life. You don’t need money to buy everything in life; you can just live it to the fullest and enjoy every moment of it. “My life ain’t heaven/But it sure ain’t hell”. Reading this poem, that line stuck out to me because life isn’t always perfect, but it isn’t always bad either. Sometimes you spend more time in a bad situation, but those are the life lessons you learn from. Take it step by step and enjoy the journey. There are two paths in life that you can take. You can either take the one that leads you in a good direction or you can take the one that may get you into trouble.
Biography
List of Works
Original Poems
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography
Weekend Glory
By Maya Angelou
Some clichty folks don't know the facts, posin' and preenin' and puttin' on acts, stretchin' their backs. They move into condos up over the ranks, pawn their souls to the local banks. Buying big cars they can't afford, ridin' around town actin' bored.
If they want to learn how to live life right they ought to study me on Saturday night.
My job at the plant ain't the biggest bet, but I pay my bills and stay out of debt. I get my hair done for my own self's sake, so I don't have to pick and I don't have to rake.
Take the church money out and head cross town to my friend girl's house where we plan our round. We meet our men and go to a joint where the music is blue and to the point.
Folks write about me. They just can't see how I work all week at the factory.

8. Inspired Poems Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
Bibliography
Life Doesn't Frighten Me By Maya Angelou Shadows on the wall Noises down the hall Life doesn't frighten me at all Bad dogs barking loud Big ghosts in a cloud Life doesn't frighten me at all Mean old Mother Goose Lions on the loose They don't frighten me at all Dragons breathing flame On my counterpane That doesn't frighten me at all. I go boo Make them shoo I make fun Way they run I won't cry So they fly I just smile They go wild Life doesn't frighten me at all. Tough guys fight All alone at night Life doesn't frighten me at all.
Panthers in the park Strangers in the dark No, they don't frighten me at all. That new classroom where Boys all pull my hair (Kissy little girls With their hair in curls) They don't frighten me at all. Don't show me frogs and snakes And listen for my scream, If I'm afraid at all It's only in my dreams. I've got a magic charm That I keep up my sleeve I can walk the ocean floor And never have to breathe. Life doesn't frighten me at all Not at all Not at all Life doesn't frighten me at all
Kendal Haverland’s poem
inspired by Life Doesn’t Frighten Me

9. Inspired Poems Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
Bibliography
Life Inspires Me By Kendal Haverland Radiant light shining from the sun Makes me want to go out and run Life inspires me Children wandering the street Singing to a brand new beat Sweet old Mrs. Tookies Is always offering fresh baked cookies Families on the run Let’s hope they remember to have some fun I may fall and get hurt Just rub it with some dirt I get back up and smile And walk another mile
Just to see what life throws my way
Life inspires me
People may disagree
But in the end, they’ll get together and plant a tree
Life inspire me
On a hot spring day
In the middle of May
Children with lemonade stands
Always starting hip new bands
A butterfly in the sky
Makes time fly by
I love to see
How happy people can be
My future is all together
Standing proud and tall
I will show all of those
Who thought I would fall

10. Inspired Poems Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
Bibliography
Still I Rise By Maya Angelou 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. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I’ll rise

11. Still I Rise (Cont.) Biography List of Works Original Poems
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold minds
Diggin’ in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come to a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
Biography
List of Works
Original Poems
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography
I’m a black ocean,
Leaping and wide
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
Brining the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave
I rise.
Kendal Haverland’s poem
inspired by Still I Rise

12. Inspired Poems Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
Bibliography
I Rise
By Kendal Haverland
You may think of me as a friend
But we both know it’s not true
With your rude actions leaving me out
Still, like an eagle, I gracefully rise
Does my friendliness offend you?
Why are you so rude?
‘Cause I talk in a friendly way
To everyone I meet
Just like life
On a rollercoaster ride
Just like bouncing back off a trampoline
Still I rise
Do you want to see me broken?
Hurt by your actions?
Unable to forget what you’ve done
I’m weakened by every tear I cry
Does my spunkiness upset you?
Don’t take my spirited style with hate
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got a comedian
Whispering jokes in my ear
Your words may hurt me
Your looks may be intolerable
What goes on behind my back is the past
And still I rise
Does my thoughtfulness upset you?
Does it come to a surprise
That people come to talk to me
As if I have a degree in giving advice
Out of the crowd of people that surround me
I rise
Looking back on a past where we used to be friends
I’m one person in this world creating change that’s needed
Leaving behind your harsh words
Into a new day
Bringing the advice of my peers
I keep my head held high and still

13. Kendal Haverland’s poem
Inspired Poems
Biography
List of Works
Original Poems
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography
Prisoner by Maya Angelou Even sunlight dares and trembles through my bars to shimmer dances on the floor. A clang of lock and keys and heels and blood-dried guns. Even sunlight Dares.
It’s jail
and bail
then rails to run.
Guard prey men
serve plates of rattle
noise and concrete
death and beans.
Then pale sunlight stumbles
through the poles of
iron to warm the horror
of grey guard men
Kendal Haverland’s poem
inspired by Prisoner

14. Inspired Poems Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
Bibliography
Cheerful Winter
By Kendal Haverland
Even sunlight dares
To sneak a peek during a long winter season
With frosted trees
And fluffy snow falling
Children have snowball fights
And many colorful lights
Shine bright on the roofs of houses
Its winter
A time of singing and cheer
For all the enjoy
When snow melts
And color starts to appear
Thy sky becomes clear
Spring is nearby

15. Original Poems Biography Sweet Dreams By Kendal Haverland
In the night of a deep sleep
I see a treasure that oozes bright light
My courage burns in the disaster of the fire
Turning my sweet summer dreams
Into the cold frost of the winter
A romantic tide of bliss sweeps over the distant mountain
Creating complete chaos
The quiet stream with the soft sound of a humming bird
Slowly narrows off
The light of the treasure as bright as a fire
Leads my out of my misery
Biography
List of Works
Original Poems
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography

16. Original Poems Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
From Life to Death By Kendal Haverland Mournful hate Rage inside When will it end? Things not right An uncouth mouth Spiteful Spit to the face Lingering hatred A life too short Sequence never ending A sudden stop When will it end Out in the night Such fear Now it’s time What goes around Comes back Again
Biography
List of Works
Original Poems
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography

17. Original Poems Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
Wildflower Mom By Kendal Haverland A strong fish in the sea The largest tide won’t faze her A butterfly dancing around on the summer’s hottest day in the desert A wild lilac with its gorgeous velvet touch and aroma that fills the air A wild flower still standing after an outrageous fire destroys the woods A beautiful rainbow that brightens the day after a dreary rain shower An evergreen that has survived the struggle of a freezing ice-covered winter A woman with the largest amount of courage I’ve ever seen in a person She has the desire to always want what’s best for her family Although her life is chaotic at times And more than one curve ball has come her way She will always be my mother And I will always love her
Biography
List of Works
Original Poems
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography

18. Original Poems Biography Skaters Life By Kendal Haverland
List of Works
Original Poems
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography
Skaters Life
By Kendal Haverland
Skateboarding
Spinning wheels glide along the street
The pavement sets me free
With half pipes and ramps
Soaring through the air
When you take a leap of faith
There are times you fall
Bumps bruises and broken bones
Life isn’t always simple
You have to swerve to miss the obstacles
It’s all about the challenges
Learning from every mistake you make

19. Bibliography Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
shtml angelou.html Bloom, Harold, ed. Bloom's BioCritiques Maya Angelou. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, Print The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print
Biography Websites:
Biography
List of Works
Original Poems
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography

20. Bibliography Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems
Photos:
sample poem-caged bird photo
life doesn’t frighten me-photo
weekend glory photo
photography.jpg sweet dreams photo
pg still i rise photo
Maya Angelou Photo
sunlight-shining-through-dense-forest.jpg Inspired Poem- Prisoner picture
Inspired Poem- Wonderful Winter
Analysis poem – Touched by an Angel photo taken by Kendal Haverland
Inspired poem-I Rise photo taken by Kendal Haverland
Inspired poem- Life Inspires Me photo taken by Kendal Haverland
Original poem-Wildflower Mom photo taken by Kendal Haverland
Original poem-Skaters Life photo taken by Kendal Haverland
Original poem- From Life to Death photo taken by Kendal Haverland
Biography
List of Works
Original Poems
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Bibliography