For Maya Angelou on her 80th Birthday


I clap hands and snap fingers for you
For being the vessel who
God chose in Her youth
For writing a startling truth
In the form of a Poet with her pulse on her pen!

In the form of a Poet with her pulse on her pen,
You write down the truth and you write it again!
Because the truth keeps on changing,
And you keep arranging all the rhythms and meter,
The words which sound sweeter,
From the wisdom of God to the wisdom of reader,
You pass it on down through the vessel of you!

I close eyes and hum gospel for you!
For being the vessel who
Rose from the cage to sing of your rage
But what beauty came rushing and soaring on through!
I clap hands and snap fingers for you!
I close eyes and hum gospel for you!
For being the vessel who
Sings a song flung to heaven and sings it again
In the form of a Poet with her pulse on her pen!

And your song rises!
And your song rises!
Yes, you still rise!

04/04/2008

Author's Note: My sister is attending Maya Angelou's birthday party this weekend. This is the poem I wrote for the celebration. I won't be there, but my words will be!

Posted on 04/04/2008
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