Maya Angelou (Photo Credit: Bob Richman, 2010 Harpo Inc.)
Today the world has lost one of its greatest contributors in the death of Maya Angelou. Author, civil rights advocate, educator, poet, and kindred spirit of many, Angelou died in her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Her writing touched the hearts of many, from her autobiographical series which included the critically-acclaimed book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” to her poems such as “Still I Rise” and “Phenomenal Woman.” She encouraged women and men alike to tap into their potential for greatness. Her presence was commanding, she was like an elder for the world leading us with wisdom and grace. And who could forget that voice? Many of us remember what it was like the first time we heard “Still I Rise” and how we were struck by the power of her voice made that much more powerful by her words. She did not leave us without sharing one last word of encouragement. She did this, last week, through what would be her last tweet:
“Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.” @DrMayaAngelou
Today that tweet went from 892 retweets prior to the announcement of her passing, to well over 25,000 retweets. This is a testament to the enduring power of Maya Angelou’s work. We also hope that many will heed her last public words and many more will continue to be encouraged by the legacy of work this legendary women left us.
Rest in peace Maya Angelou, the original Phenomenal Woman.
Ever
Ever watch children at play?
Especially toddlers
Little boys all chubby and
awkward really are ‘bam bams’
they are the noisy conductors,
directors, hunters
Little girls are all ‘priscillas’
soft, tender
baby fat hands gracefully
doing their thing, legs moving
them ballerina style
around and around
so content, so happy they are
in their very own world of make believe
Ever notice when one of them
gets hurt real bad and bleeds?
they drop their pretending
and get serious
one runs and gets the authority
another becomes the authority
at least three or four surround
the injured with pats on the back
“Don’t cry Fifi…you’re gonna’
be alright.”
and won’t leave until
“You okay Fifi?”
And when the little authority sees the
big authority she explains all she’s
done and what needs to be done
“Thanks you’re such a big girl.”
“I know.”
then they all go back to being
‘bam bams’ and ‘priscillas’
the caring pretenders
in a brave new world
Contentment
contentment, not complacency is where He lands you
so that wherever you find yourself, wherever I find myself
we have the satisfaction of His transforming Presence
making the dump, or the ash heap seem like the most palacial dwelling
making the palace in essence the choicest corner of heaven
soothing the mind, refreshing it like cool water flowing through
in the worst drought ever
it is the richness of the love in the faith He gives
which allows us to know the peace that surpasses all comprehension
right where we are, as He transforms the scenes of our lives for His
glory
from highest splendor all the way to squalor; from squalor all the way to the highest splendor
where are you today?
isn’t it lovely?
For the Love of Money
Someone said, someone said, and someone else said
“How would you like to have some big money”?
When I learned who would give it, how to get it, and how much it was I said,
“Tell all of them to stop their tripping about play dough. No amount of money, real or imagined can ever pay for the losses spawned by its quest.
I have paid my dues in the hard, hard, hard, hard, hard, hard, hard, hard work of, ‘staying alive, staying alive’.
So if there is any profit to be had, tell them to keep it, or give it to a favorite charity.
“God alone brings justice, life, protection, true prosperity.
That’s what I believe. He is whom I believe.
So, thanks anyway”.
Chit-Chatting
Asked my girlfriend yesterday,
“I wonder if Maya would
would like me?”
Her answer reminded me of
something Jesus said,
“It is better to give than to receive.”
“Here’s my love Maya!”
Final to Maya
Know why your fear made you mute
Know why mine made me scream
Know that
He sees
He hears
He cares
Know that He loves me, us, all
Forever
Know that He can do
whatever He wants
whenever He wants
Know that He is good
Know that He is God
Know that He makes no mistakes
Know that He makes all things right
in His time
Know also,
it’s not too late to turn on mute…
when He tells me to
A Human Being
not a whiner Maya, an expresser of rage
that no one cared enough to even try to understand…
to look just a little closer…which was all I needed
not a victim Maya, but a bantamweight fighter going
in to Goliath with the weight of my title, my people,
all people wrapped inside my spirit, and deep inside
my soul
not a phony Maya, but an ordinary black coal
a chosen rock, with realness buried too far
for shallow eyes to perceive
bearing etchings too cumbersome
for weak eyes to know
that beneath all the soot was the unmistakable
glow of a diamond
not a quitter Maya,
but a patient sitter waiting for
the Power that prayers free
to give me the strength that
He alone bestows
to move…on up a little higher
Maya, not a clown to put down
or mock, as so pathetically laughable
as to deserve the cruelty dispensed
but a HUMAN BEING, Maya
A HUMAN BEING,
created in GOD’S own image
that spoiled men and women
haters
hounded, wounded, maimed, shamed
carelessly
because they could
not a “thing”, Maya, but a willing servant
whom my Savior bought with His blood
rescuing me, giving me the honor of His good name
His eyes breaking through barriers laden with false hopes
shining His light on the truth of what’s there…
love for Him, love for you, love for others
love even for the spoiled
love…
crouching in a corner of my heart
trembling for redemption
and now awaits the wrath
of cowards