[little chick]

In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday Maya
really is a marvel who has led quite an interesting and exciting life.

Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on
television, she said it was "exciting."
Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every
day...like her breasts.
They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first. The
audience laughed so hard they cried.
She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words.

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life
goes go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she
handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled
Christmas tree lights.

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a
"life."

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on
both hands; you need to be able to throw something back."

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I
usually make the right decision."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. "

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People
love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget
what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Please send this to five phenomenal women today. If you do, something good
will happen: You will boost another woman's self-esteem.

[ellis]

Thank you for sharing that, Little Chick. Maya Angelou is a wonderful woman.

[mals1]

Wow! What a way to start my morning. Maya Angelou is a remarkable woman. If you don't mind I would like to print this out to keep.

[little chick]

no problem just wanted to share with some of the great women in my life.

[mals1]

That is so sweet! I have not been in this forum long but I really like being with you ladies. It feels like a good fit for me here.

[MichelleRae]

wow that brought tears to my eyes!! How nice. I'm going to share that on the stay at home moms thread if you dont mind
Michelle

[beachgal]

The advice is really good, but I am pretty sure it is from another piece, which is entitled "I have learned...", *not* from Maya. Her writing is majorly different from what is above...she uses lovely words and writes very lyrically and with much wit.

She is a poet, author, and woman of remarkable presence and life. I doubt she made the statement about her breasts, but with her sense of humor, she just might have.

Nonetheless, reading Maya's real work is a great thing...especially if you can get her autobiographical books on tape with her reading them. Her voice is truly amazing. Here are two of Maya's poems so you can read some things she *has* written:

"Phenomenal Woman"

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.




"Still I Rise"

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

[Chickpea]

Great stuff! Thanks for sharing.

[ellis]

Wow! I hadn't read "Still I Rise" before, Laurie. That is SO powerful!! Thank you!