Modern Vespa

America has lost a poetic treasure via the death of Maya Angelou who has died at 86 years old! She will be missed!

Indeed.

RIP

Not just a poet - but an AMAZING civil rights activist and community organizer that literally millions of people have looked up to over the decades of her great work.

Those whom she has touched will live better lives because of her heart and soul...

Desi B.

When I was growing up I knew of her as the author for a lot of wonderful books that we were encouraged to read in school. I had no idea she danced professionally during the 50s. I need to re-read some of her work. She was an amazing lady, and I would love it if the US adopted the Japanese concept of living treasures - she would have been one. She will be missed and her life celebrated by many.

I saw her speak in Louisville, KY about four years ago. Very much the eloquent and impassioned voice for many who have no voice. She will be remembered fondly by many.

What a force! I remember feeling incredibly proud when my boss bucked tradition and had Ms Angelou as the dinner guest for our employee of the year banquet. She was every bit as gentle and powerful in person as I had imagined. An even more amazing life story. Kinda makes the gossipy, finger pointing, and unforgiving nature of some of our relationships juvenile and petty. She truly understood the nature of forgiveness. Sleep well sweet lady.

I had the honor of meeting Maya Angelou at a speech she was giving in San Francisco in 97.

She saw my Scotland t-shirt and walked over to where I was standing.

We spoke (she spoke, I listened) about Robert burns and the influence his works had on her and her love for the Scottish people. It was 5 minutes I will never forget.

She could say or read anything and demand attention with her articulation and presence.

Today is a sad day indeed.

I was lucky enough to do some stills of a cooking and life TV series Dr. Angelou did out of her Winston-Salem, NC home. Here are a couple photos from that Summer. Interesting lady and a lot oif fun to watch from the sidelines.

RIP Dr. Angelou.

Man, she lived 10 lives in her one. What a lady. Here's one of her's that I like, which I guess will resonate with fellow MVers here...

Wow, what a horrible loss for humanity. RiP

A life lived to the fullest with empathy and love!

We lost a good one. R.I.P.

We didn't lose anything. We gained more than we probably deserve.

Always one of my favorites. Thank you dear lady. For your creativity, patience and wit.


You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread 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.

Maya Angelou

One of the few good things I can say about living for a time in Stockton was that my kids both got to hear her perform there because of family connections. We will never forget that.

I have to say reading this thread makes me very glad that I recently discovered this forum in my quest to join the league of scooterists. Ride on!

Dale

RIP to a great American...

"Phenomenal woman"

I cried when i found out. While i never met her she was such an inspiring person. She never graduated from college (never went) and look what she has accomplished. She with Mandela now still working on what needs to be righted,of that i'm sure. Did you know that she was the first female(probably black person as well) to drive a trolley car in SF. 8) RIP

NPR played a recording of her reading I Rise. It gave me shivers. Everything that I've seen about her shows her to be a remarkable woman.

Edit: I'm an idiot

Cyberlizard - pm sent