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

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”).

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 2008. 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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bibliography Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/87 http://mayaangelou.com/ http://www.biography.com/articles/Maya-Angelou-9185388 http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/maya-angelou http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/ang0bio-1 http://www.squidoo.com/MayaAngelou http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/22/earlyshow/leisure/books/main3391 490.shtml http://www.enotes.com/poetry-criticism/angelou-maya http://naturalaloebeauty.blogspot.com/2010/07/thank-you-lord-by-maya- angelou.html Bloom, Harold, ed. Bloom's BioCritiques Maya Angelou. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2002. 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

Bibliography Biography List of Works Original Poems Sample Poems Photos: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5485115146_eea839a987.jpg sample poem-caged bird photo http://www.rgbstock.com/cache1oBeDb/users/l/lu/lusi/300/mwMzZiY.jpg- life doesn’t frighten me-photo http://lent2009.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/foot-prints-lent-blog.jpg weekend glory photo http://www.digitalpicturezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/moon- photography.jpg sweet dreams photo http://c0170361.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1401669_22033_9ffea64119_p.j pg still i rise photo http://mayaangelou.com/bio/ Maya Angelou Photo http://cache2.artprintimages.com/p/LRG/26/2661/5ZFUD00Z/art-print/jan-lakey- sunlight-shining-through-dense-forest.jpg Inspired Poem- Prisoner picture http://www.hausonthehill.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/winter-sunlight.jpg 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