Caged Bird

 

 

Dear Maya,

 

Hi Maya Angelou my name is Imani and I am writing to you to thank you for being an inspiration in my life. I've studied your life, writing, and poetry for years and even though we have never met your philosophies have taught me a lot and have been the template through which I've chosen to live my life.

I first looked at your work in middle school and it was the poem "Phenomenal Woman". My 7th grade teacher also added to my love for your work because she introduced me to my own love for writing poetry. I can honestly say that you showed me through that one piece to love my every curve and to see the value in my precious thoughts, even if no one else would. As a young girl without much motherly or fatherly guidance I was left to forge my own path and define life on my own so immediately I was drawn to your honest and clairvoyant voice. Also another piece that you wrote that greatly affected me was the poem "Caged Bird" that I've studied numerously throughout my Highschool career, I even got to perform that piece at my schools Poetry Out Loud competition for which I received high acclamation. Even though many cannot understand the meaning of that piece I believe you are teaching of the freedoms that people take for granted that others who do not have would appreciate more so because they had to work and suffer to attain these freedoms so they can truly cherish them. Your style of writing is so beautiful in the ways that you use your metaphors and rhyme scheme and your voice can clearly be heard as we read your work.

Before that first moment when I picked up your work I was holding in so much confused hate that over time I was able to let go of. I didn't have the easiest childhood but your philosophy and writing helped me to understand I did not have the worst childhood and that I could make so much better for myself. It took a lot for me to open up, even to my pad and pen, so consistently being confronted with your teaching and life's work I found inspiration and I was able to express myself and discover what I truly craved of life. Although I wish I could've met you and listened your stories I missed my opportunity to do that but your spirit and revolutionary philosophy lives on through your writing.

 

 

Ode To Maya Angelou

 

Watch me as I soar

Wings spread wider then an eagle

The credit is all yours

No one heard my song but you

No one thought to free me but you

Shattered my shackles and freed me of these chains

Didn't even know my name

Skipped the formality

Caging a soul could not be a normality

Dare to dream bravely and make aspirations reality

Expand my horizons

Making my darkest days brighten

A rose that only you could make blossom

A harvest more fruitful than Autumn

No longer find myself stressing

Couldn't do it without your blessing

I can find joy in even the smallest things