• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • My Account
  • Shop
  • Cart

Cherie Burbach

writer, artist, poet

Let's connect!
YoutubeFacebookPinterestInstagram
  • Home
  • Shop
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Classroom Access
Home | Words | Poetry | Happy 86th Birthday, Maya Angelou

Happy 86th Birthday, Maya Angelou

April 8, 2014 Leave a Comment

Can it be that Maya Angelou has turned 86just last week? It seems just yesterday that I listened to her read “On the Pulse of Morning” at President Clinton’s inauguration. Although I had written poetry since I was a child, I was shy about it. I didn’t share that passion with anyone, and I didn’t read or learn about other poets. It was a private hobby that helped me understand the world. That quickly changed when I heard Angelou’s poetry. Her voice, her words, her passion… it all moved me. I went out that day and bought one of her books, and I’ve been inspired by her ever since.

Who Is Maya Angelou?


It pains me to think that anyone wouldn’t know who she is, or perhaps that she’s only known to people as a close friend of Oprah Winfrey’s. But Angelou has been culturally influential for half a century. She’s describes herself as a “global renaissance woman,” and her biography reads like a list of things most of us only hope to achieve. She’s a writer, poet, and activist.

She has known a long list of historically significant individuals. Angelou studied dance with Martha Graham, met Malcolm X during her time in Ghana, and was asked personally by Martin Luther King, Jr. to become the Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings


Perhaps her most famous work is her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Her friend, novelist James Baldwin, was instrumental in getting her to put her life story down on paper. The remarkable thing to me about reading it was that, as a girl who grew up in a different part of the country and under a different set of circumstances, I could feel the pain and prejudice she felt growing up as surely as if it had happened to me. I could identify with her struggles. The mark of a great writer to me is anyone that can make you feel their pain and joy, and leave you changed after reading their words. Angelou did that with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and with the poem she penned by the same name:

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

and longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

Angelou’s Poetry in Pop Culture

I’m thrilled every time I see a Maya Angelou poem used somewhere in pop culture. Snippets of her work have appeared in movies, on TV, and even in commercials. When LeBron James’ Nike commercial (entitled “What Should I Do?”) came out, I immediately called my husband into the room because I thought it was so well done. And off-handedly, I mentioned that lines from Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise” were used, and my husband said he hadn’t heard of it.  It’s funny how you can be married to someone a long time and then suddenly a revelation like that can shake you up. I said, “You don’t know the poem?” I ran to the other room and pulled out my book of Angelou’s poetry, and read it to him right then and there. He was blown away at her words.

Her poetry was used in the film Poetic Justice, and in the documentary The Black Candle, which she also narrated. And let’s talk about that voice, while we’re at it. A few years ago I wrote a post about random things I think would be cool if they happened to me, and one of them was to have Angelou read me a poem live. Her voice is as melodic, deep, and haunting as the truth in her work, and yet, it is also uplifting.

It’s difficult to describe her impact on society, and even on my own life. Perhaps the best way to say happy birthday to Ms. Angelou is to simply say thank you.

Tags: maya angelou Categories: Poetry

About the Author

Cherie's avatar

Cherie Burbach is a full time artist and writer. Her art prints, originals, and functional art pieces are available in artsy stores and galleries through the country and here at her site. Join her for Painting the Psalms. She is the author of over fifteen books, which vary from nonfiction to poetry to kid's books. Just for fun she created a family card game called Cupcake Commotion. Her first novel is The Space Between Dreaming.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

sidebar

Blog Sidebar

Join the Waitlist!

Join the Waitlist!

Coming soon! A new studio subscription on Patreon.

Product Categories

Select a category

Product Search

Paint With Cherie

Paint With Cherie

NEW: The Space Between Dreaming (novel)

NEW: The Space Between Dreaming (novel)

More About Cherie

Footer

  • Home
  • Shop
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Classroom Access

Kind Words About Cherie's Novel

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers’ Favorite

The Space Between Dreaming is a moving novel written with warmth and heart and which contains valuable wisdom. I loved that...
Cherie Burbach
2020-02-16T15:00:57-06:00
The Space Between Dreaming is a moving novel written with warmth and heart and which contains valuable wisdom. I loved that the work tackles difficult topics about childlessness, childhood trauma, and betrayal by friends with sensitivity. It tenderly captures the social and emotional toll of being childless. I loved the main characters and found them to be realistic and engaging. The work masterfully explores the themes of friendships and relationships, drawing important lessons that can be applied in real life. The inclusion of art and the process of painting also enhance the story. Cherie Burbach's unforgettable novel will resonate with readers for its applicable themes and compelling characters. Fans of women's novels will love it.
https://www.cherieburbach.com/testimonials/lisa-l/
0
Cherie Burbach

“Nerdection Must Read”

Cherie Burbach's writing is surprisingly vivid, this being her debut attempt. She can take you inside the character's mind within...
Cherie Burbach
2020-02-16T14:48:24-06:00
Cherie Burbach's writing is surprisingly vivid, this being her debut attempt. She can take you inside the character's mind within a span of words, all the things they're struggling with put bare before you. The prose isn't flowery, but gentle enough to nudge you into relating your traumas too, and heal as the characters do.
https://www.cherieburbach.com/testimonials/jenn-z/

K. Fink, Amazon

Loved learning more about art, and the community surrounding the people in the book. Couldn't wait for the next chapter...
Cherie Burbach
2020-02-16T14:49:12-06:00
Loved learning more about art, and the community surrounding the people in the book. Couldn't wait for the next chapter and following the women in this story. I am hoping the author has a second book in mind, to continue the journey of Jane and Grace. I would recommend this to book clubs, so they could meet and discuss what they read and what they think will happen next.
https://www.cherieburbach.com/testimonials/cheryl-m/

Julie, Amazon Reviewer

A beautifully written story about the lives of two very interesting women who come together and form a life long...
Cherie Burbach
2020-02-16T14:50:50-06:00
A beautifully written story about the lives of two very interesting women who come together and form a life long bond. I love how this book is written. I found myself placed in the story like I was an innocent bystander watching each moment unfold and learning more about art than I ever thought possible. As the book ended, I found myself wanting more. My hope is that there is a 2nd book in the works so I can continue watching the friendships unfold and the lives of the main characters continue to grow!
https://www.cherieburbach.com/testimonials/shelley-w/

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers’ Favorite

The Space Between Dreaming is a moving novel written with warmth and heart and which contains valuable wisdom. I loved that...
Cherie Burbach
2020-02-16T15:00:57-06:00
The Space Between Dreaming is a moving novel written with warmth and heart and which contains valuable wisdom. I loved that the work tackles difficult topics about childlessness, childhood trauma, and betrayal by friends with sensitivity. It tenderly captures the social and emotional toll of being childless. I loved the main characters and found them to be realistic and engaging. The work masterfully explores the themes of friendships and relationships, drawing important lessons that can be applied in real life. The inclusion of art and the process of painting also enhance the story. Cherie Burbach's unforgettable novel will resonate with readers for its applicable themes and compelling characters. Fans of women's novels will love it.
https://www.cherieburbach.com/testimonials/lisa-l/

Let’s Connect!

YoutubeFacebookPinterestInstagram

Products I use freqently

Products I use freqently

Favorite Items From My Shop

  • Devotional Deck Devotional Deck $35.00
  • Tiny Blessings Package Tiny Blessings Package $25.00
  • Mixed Media Faces (Online Courses) Mixed Media Faces (Online Courses) $42.20
  • Bohemian Girl Pillow Bohemian Girl Pillow $45.00
  • Sisterhood Puzzle Sisterhood Puzzle $25.00 Original price was: $25.00.$20.00Current price is: $20.00.

Cherie Burbach

© Cherie Burbach

Notifications