A Tribute To Maya Angelou

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

By Alon Calinao Dy: Last May 28, 2014, I was deeply saddened when I heard the news about the death of my favorite American author and poet Maya Angelou at the age of 86. The cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Angelou's life has inspired many artists, entertainers, and world leaders including former President Bill Clinton and current President Barack Obama. In tribute to her, I decided to post her best poem in my blog entitled I Know Why  The Caged  Bird Sings.

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 

And his tune is heard 

On the distant hill

For the caged bird 

Sings for 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 stands on the grave of dreams

His shadow shouts on a nightmare screaming

His wings are clipped and his feet are tied

So he opens his throat  to sing.

The caged bird sings 

With a fearful thrill

Of things unknown

And his tune is heard

On the distant hill

For the  caged bird

Sings of freedom.

-- Maya Angelou

I truly enjoyed reading this poem because it spoke about freedom. It really touched me. Maya is one of the famous authors I greatly admired in the world. It's a great honor to read some of her awesome works. To Maya Angelou, may your soul rest in peace and may the Lord God meet you at his gate.