One thing about a published writer is that we (and you if you’re lucky to have been based on any characters in the books we write) live on-in print.
We all know, the great poet and writer Maya Angelou was practically born in print yet, died just last May (2014) with a permanent stain left in all our hearts as a staple in the Americana. So it would only be natural that the “Still I Rise” poet fly and be arisen-even during the time of her being gone to glory by being awakened in a U.S commemorative postage stamp (created by artists Ethel Kessler and Ross Rossin)-available April 7-just three days after her [what would have been her 87th birthday]: quite the gift it is, right? They wasted no time keeping her memory alive.
Read on:
The U.S. Postal Service has revealed its Forever postage stamp featuring Maya Angelou, the poet and author widely known for her autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
The stamp has a portrait of Angelou alongside a quote from the author: “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
Angelou was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 by President Obama and recited a poem at President Clinton’s 1993 inauguration. She died last year at 86.
The author’s long creative life included stage performances that earned her a Tony nomination, recording a calypso record, writing for the screen, directing a film, acting and teaching creative writing.
Her books include the poetry collections “Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing?” (1983), “And Still I Rise” (1978), “Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well” (1975) and “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Diiie” (1971) and the memoirs “A Song Flung Up to Heaven” (2002), “All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes” (1986), “The Heart of a Woman” (1981) and “Gather Together in My Name” (1974).
During her tumultuous childhood, Angelou lived with her grandmother for (cont’d)
P.S.
Enjoy my favorite selfie atop the OSF big screen-while mother Angelou recites to you-what resuscitates me.
