Recently I was gifted a poetry book like no other. Maya Angelou’s complete collection of work. The book is definitely not something that can be quickly digested. Even months after getting the book I still find myself going back and relating to her words a different way each time. Here are a few of my favorite poems out of many.
They Went Home
They went home and told their wives,
that never once in all their lives,
had they known a girl like me,
But . . . They went home.
They said my house was licking clean,
no word I spoke was ever mean,
I had an air of mystery,
But . . . They went home
My praises were on all men’s lips,
they liked my smile, my wit, my hips,
they’d spend one night, or two or three.
But . . .
Poor Girl
You’ve got another love
and I know it
Someone who adores you
just like me
Hanging on your words
like they were gold
Thinking that she understands
your soul
Poor Girl
Just like me.
You’re breaking another heart
and I know it.
And there’s nothing
I can do
If I try to tell her
what I know
She’ll miss understand
and make me go
Poor Girl
Just like me.
You’re going to leave her too
and I know it
She’ll never know
what made you go
She’ll cry and wonder
what went wrong
Then she’ll begin
to sing this song
Poor Girl
Just like me.
On Working White Liberals
I don’t ask the Foreign Legion
Or anyone to win my freedom
Or to fight my battle better than I can.
Though there’s one thing that I cry for
I believe enough to die for
That is every man’s responsibility to man.
I’m afraid they’ll have to prove first
That they’ll watch the Black man move first
Then follow him with faith to kingdom come.
This rocky road is not paved for us,
So I’ll believe in Liberal’s aid for us
When I see a white man load a Black man’s gun.