BLOG ALERT Maya Gold

I have been privileged to meet a great many Hollywood and American greats but there was one lady that shined brighter, held herself in such a dignified manner that she had a presidential air about her.  Maya Angelou was a pleasure to meet.  Her sad passing today has made the world a lesser place, one of my regrets is that I did not keep her interview with Sandi Toksvig where Maya read live without notes her seminal poem. "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings"  if you are not familiar with this poem it's worth taking a read:

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 1928-2014