On Wednesday, May 28, 2014, Dr. Maya Angelou died quietly in her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina around 8:00am EST. She was 86. According to her agent, Angelou had been "frail" and suffering from heart problems.
Maya Angelou leaves a long legacy behind her. She was a teacher, artist, cook, singer, dancer, journalist, actress, activist, and author. There are many things named after her including a few schools, community centers and even one of President Barack Obama's sisters!
She was friends with Malcolm X and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and inspired young adults and world celebrities. She famously delivered a poem at Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration. In 2010, President Barack Obama named her a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom which is the country's highest civilian honor.
To see video of her poem at the presidential inauguration click here:
http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4499362/maya-angelou-inaugural-poem
But what was Angelou most famous for? She was most famous for her poetry. She was a BRILLIANT poet - some even call her a genius. She has received countless awards for her work and has received 50 honorary doctoral degrees from different universities. Perhaps her most famous work of all is the book, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings." She also has a poem with a similar name.
As you look at this poem, think about these questions: What do you think this poem means? Why do you think it was so famous? What are some literary devices that you see?
CAGED BIRD
By Maya Angelou
The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Maya Angelou leaves a long legacy behind her. She was a teacher, artist, cook, singer, dancer, journalist, actress, activist, and author. There are many things named after her including a few schools, community centers and even one of President Barack Obama's sisters!
She was friends with Malcolm X and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and inspired young adults and world celebrities. She famously delivered a poem at Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration. In 2010, President Barack Obama named her a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom which is the country's highest civilian honor.
To see video of her poem at the presidential inauguration click here:
http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4499362/maya-angelou-inaugural-poem
But what was Angelou most famous for? She was most famous for her poetry. She was a BRILLIANT poet - some even call her a genius. She has received countless awards for her work and has received 50 honorary doctoral degrees from different universities. Perhaps her most famous work of all is the book, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings." She also has a poem with a similar name.
As you look at this poem, think about these questions: What do you think this poem means? Why do you think it was so famous? What are some literary devices that you see?
CAGED BIRD
By Maya Angelou
The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.