Maya Angelou: Says The U.S. Is "Growing Up," Pens Poem About Obama

Sunday, November 22, 2009

By Njai Joszor | Posted on 11/09/08 | Filed Under: The Alternative, Maya Angelou

Maya Angelo, the poet and author of such books as "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" said she had a visceral, physical reaction when Obama was declared the President Elect late Tuesday.

"First I laughed," she told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

"Before I could finish laughing, I wept. Then I shook. I mean, I trembled. You know, the old meaning of the word `thrill' has a physical aspect. It's like, `Brrrrr!' My body started shaking."

But the experience was also cerebral.

Images of slavery and the civil rights movement and of her slain friend Martin Luther King Jr. raced through her mind, and in that moment, she realized that the United States was finally "growing up."

"I thought of my people, African-Americans. I thought of white Americans. I thought of Asians and Spanish people. And I thought, `My God! What a country. What a country.' I believe that in the secret heart of every American there's a desire to live in a great country. And look at us now."

"On the Pulse of Morning," the poem she composed for Bill Clinton years back, talked of war and divisiveness, but also of hope for a new beginning of peace.

Angelou said Obama is "a clear and clean wind, a breeze. ... There is some poetry in him, yes."

She plans to write a poem about the election of the nation's true first black president in the coming months, but she cannot yet say what form it will take. She only knows that, like this milestone, it will not come easy.

"I will approach it as the work it is," she said.

"Try to put all my energies and my talents and my prayers and hopes and all that, my nervousness - all of those things will go into it."

SRC: AP

Join In: Follow Singersroom on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Help Promote This Story:

| | Twitter

Related Stories (View All)

Maya Angelou: Says The U.S. Is "Growing Up," Pens Poem About Obama
11/09/08

Did you like this story? Leave feedback below

Reader Comments (1) | Post Comment

finally growing up

jimboe on 11/9/2008 6:48:19 PM

Your Name:

- Required

**Your Email:
Use Gravatar for image icon

- Required

Your Comments:

**Enter Code From IMage:

Code Image - Please contact webmaster if you have problems seeing this image code

Load New Code

Sign me up for Singersroom.com news alert!

Get Involved!

Email to a friend

RSS Feed

Latest Stories

	Jennifer Lopez 'Feels Good' Ahead Of AMA Performance

	Kanye West, Drake, Wayne Refill Eminem's Relapse

	Jordin Sparks Better After Hospitalization, Surgery

	SR Gospel: Franklin, Sheard For UK Gospel Awards, Plus 'Sweet The Sound' Finale Set

	Toni Braxton Confirms 'Single' and 'Separated' Post Divorce Rumor

	Judge Applauds Chris Brown During Probation Hearing

	Janet Jackson Lands New Record Deal Post Def Jam ?

	Jay Z Scores First Non Featured Hot 100 Hit

	Janet Jackson 'Spotlight' Gives ABC Ratings Boost

	Usher, Songz, Maxwell Ride R&B Chart To Claim Top Five

	Chris Brown To Face Judge In Probation Update Thursday

	Janet Jackson 'Makes' Plans For Friday Video Premiere

	Death of Burruss' 'Housewives' Ex Jewell Ruled Homicide

	Toni Braxton Books Wendy Williams Premiere Of 'Yesterday'

	Jennifer Hudson 'Honored' To Star In 'Winnie' Flick