In 2013, she wrote a poem of tribute for Nelson Mandela, “His Day Is Done,” upon his passing. Most notably, she was asked to read her poem, “ On the Pulse of Morning,” at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in January 1993. She considered Stamps, Arkansas, her hometown, and the traditions her grandmother instilled in her, coupled with her firsthand experiences of racism and bigotry, made her a powerful witness to Southern culture and beliefs.Īngelou was invited to recite her work on numerous occasions. While not usually considered a regional author-Angelou was, after all, a worldly woman who grew up in several American cities and lived in different countries-she nonetheless has come to represent the African-American experience of the Deep South since she spent her formative years there. Poems such as “Still I Rise” also touch upon the structure of hymns and meditations, evoking the chants of slaves as they worked in fields and came together to pray. The poems are not necessarily intended to be performed, but when they are, they electrify an audience. Indeed, the repetition of key phrases combined with alliteration and assonance often give Angelou’s poems a musical quality. Critic William Sylvester further adds that listening to her poetry allows us to better listen to ourselves and truly absorb the meaning of her words. Critic Janet Blundell, who reviewed the volume of poetry And Still I Rise, notes that the poems which most closely resemble speech patterns and songs are the most effective. Some critics even argue that her poetry has greater power when it is recited.
The tribute is a testament to the power of Angelou’s poem that still resonates with people 40 years after it was first published.Īngelou loved to recite her work, and “Still I Rise” was among her favorite poems. On April 4, 2018-what would have been Maya Angelou’s 90th birthday-Google celebrated the illustrious author and activist with a video featuring many celebrities reciting “ Still I Rise.” The likes of media giant Oprah Winfrey, singer Alicia Keys, actress Laverne Cox, and Angelou’s own son, Guy Johnson, were featured in the video.
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