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olivmaethomas's review
4.0
I think that the way that Maya Angelou writes scratches a certain itch in my brain that typically goes undetected. These are the kind of poems that make you say “oh, well that’s exactly right” because they articulate the things that you know deep down, but have never taken the time to name. Or perhaps Maya Angelou is just smarter than us - perhaps we don’t name them because we aren’t self aware enough to know that the itches are even there rather than out of sheer laziness. Regardless, I’m grateful for Maya Angelou’s ability to effortlessly scratch these itches with her musical poetry. Read this book to think, wonder, and question.
hazel_medlock's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
4.5
kimily's review
4.0
I found some of the poems very moving, but did not connect with many others. My brain is still getting accustomed to processing poetry, so it's possible I simply didn't understand some of Ms. Angelou's work.
marissasa's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
4.5
Maya Angelou's writing is so distinct, especially in her poetry. I loved the rhythm of her alternate rhyme poems, and in her free verse pieces I often found that one or two lines would stand out for just being very well-crafted and well-worded. One example is this line from Old Folks Laugh:
"When old folks laugh, they consider the promise
of dear painless death, and generously
forgive life for happening
to them."
My favorite poems in this collection were Human Family, Equality, These Yet to be United States, and Our Grandmothers. The phrase "I shall not be moved" is a perfect title for this collection and really draws in the theme of unwavering strength despite endless hardship.
"When old folks laugh, they consider the promise
of dear painless death, and generously
forgive life for happening
to them."
My favorite poems in this collection were Human Family, Equality, These Yet to be United States, and Our Grandmothers. The phrase "I shall not be moved" is a perfect title for this collection and really draws in the theme of unwavering strength despite endless hardship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
elizabethlk's review
4.0
Maya Angelou is an incredible poet, and this collection is a prime example of her work in poetry. My favourite will always be And Still I Rise, but this was still an excellent read. My favourite poems in the collection were Worker's Song, Human Family, Equality, Forgive, Our Grandmothers, and Preacher Don't Send Me.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed Maya Angelou's other work as well as to anyone who enjoys poetry.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed Maya Angelou's other work as well as to anyone who enjoys poetry.