In loving memory of Maya Angelou, a fierce writer with a strong voice (1928-2014).I put my own twist on one of my favorite Angelou poems, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." Her words are vibrant and colorful, so take a moment to read the far superior original. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is also her first of seven memoirs, and the first non-fiction bestseller to be written by an African American woman.
If you research her history at all, you will be impressed by her numerous accomplishments-a world renowned author, playwright, freelance journalist, dancer and actress.
If you dig even deeper you will find that she was a strong woman who stood tall even when all the odds were against her. Racial prejudice, abuse within her family, and the pressures of being a single mother are a few of the giants she faced. All of these attest to the bravado of this woman just as much as her titles.
Despite the cage, this free spirited bird's song still rings out today.
I Know Why the Lonely Girl Writes
The free girl laughs
at the days of the past
where the wind may blow
she spreads her arms
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the world
But a girl that sulks
in her bitter past
can seldom see through
her senseless ways
her dreams are crushed and
her love has died
so she opens her soul to write
the lonely girl writes
with fiery thrill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and her voice is heard
in the distant world
for the lonely girl
writes of journeys
the free girl thinks of trivialities
of coffee shops and blissful melodies
of coffee shops and blissful melodies
and the good friends waiting for her to meet them
and she names her life her own
But a lonely girl writes on the brink of dreams
her thoughts linger on things unseen
her dreams are crushed and her love has died
and so she opens her soul to write
the lonely girl writes
with awestruck thrill
of the dreams unknown
but reached for still
and her voice is heard
in the distant world
for the lonely girl
writes of freedom
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