Celebrating National Poetry Month: How Dr. Maya Angelou’s poetry told the truth
By Alexis Kenyatta Ellis
JA Guest Writer
When I first discovered the writing of Dr. Maya Angelou, I was about 11 or 12 years old. When I received a book of her poetry for Christmas I took it with me everywhere I went, and I read it. I devoured her words because it told the truth about love which at that age, I was so curious about, and life which I was beginning to learn. I learned about her style of language and many of my poems I tried to emulate her voice. But through her voice I found my own.
The poems that resonated with me the most were, “Phenomenal Woman,” “They Went Home,” “The Gamut,” “And Still I Rise,” and many others. Her words challenged my mind, and made me see that I could be who I was, an African American, and not be ashamed of where I came from, which was the projects.
She made me see that I could achieve and be gracious all at the same time. I could be humble, quiet, and not allow the world to turn me into someone I’m not. At a young age, her words spoke volumes to me. It made me fight harder for my writing. as I look back on what Dr. Angelou’s poetry means to me. Her poetry helped me get through hard times. I was not afraid to speak up in class at that point in my life; I exercised my right to recite poetry.
So, when I was in 8th grade. I had the chance to recite my poem I composed for my graduation called, “When Reaching A Dream, When Saying Goodbye.” I channeled my inner Maya, and I heard the recognition through the applause, and it made me feel so good inside knowing that I honored my poetry.
I believe poetry can heal. I believe poetry can help you escape your circumstances, and Dr. Angelou helped me see that. I thank God for words and the ability to use those words for good and use language with integrity. This has always been my goal, because words have power, and like the Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:21 (KJV), “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
