If You Watch One Thing In Memoriam of Maya Angelou, Watch This. {Video}
In 1993, when Maya Angelou recited her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton, she became the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since Robert Frost at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961.
This was a pivotal moment in Angelou’s career. (The poem even received a Grammy.)
Her previous works, including her first of seven autobiographies I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, soared in popularity and her ability to inspire significantly increased in audience.
Many know Angelou for her powerful quotes, but her writing is best known for its strong, clear voice, as well as for its substance and poetic prose style.
Watch her recite Clinton’s inaugural poem and be re-introduced to generations to come.
And to the woman who incomparably placed the depths of the human experience into glorious words, who both uplifts and empowers while encouraging streams of quiet, understanding tears: Thank you.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
~Maya Angelou
Photo credit: Derek Bridges/Flickr.
Yesterday as I awoke I already felt sad! And while remembering my dear darling mother-in-law, who passed away a year ago, I cried and cried with deep deep grief. But the void I was feeling in my heart got even bigger when later on in the day we heard the news of Dr Angelou’s departure. To rein in my sadness I started painting. Then told my daughter a story of her and Maya Angelou!?! Years back when my daughter was a newborn I remember clearly one single ‘rushed’ day among all my frenzied nursing days, how this lovely poet appeared on the TV screen and recited one her poems. Suddenly my frantic life stood still. I just stopped and listened. Maybe even my little baby daughter stopped whatever she was doing and listened. After watching this video that’s what I do today again. I’ll just stop and listen. Thanks Jennifer for sharing.
Thank you, thank you for leaving this note for me. Such a sad but true and poetic story. xo