The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou

I read The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou several years ago and loved it so much that I often pull it off my shelf and peruse the contents. Sometimes I open it randomly and read whatever page I land on. Other times, I seek out a poem that has taken root in my thoughts for one reason or another. The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou has become a book I turn to for inspiration, encouragement, enlightenment, and education. Angelou's poems speak to the existence we all share on this planet and her words resonate across the artificial barriers we draw between us. When she writes about us all being part of the "Human Family", she pushes us to see beyond the stereotypes and see how much we all have in common. When she writes show more about being a "Phenomenal Woman", she reminds us all that we have the power to embrace our own phenomenal selves. The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou includes many poems that speak to her life experience and her observations in language that is both lyrical and accessible. show less

I don’t read much poetry but I enjoyed the majority of the poems in this collection. I was particularly moved by: They Went Home, When I Think About Myself, Changes, Alone and what many consider a masterpiece, Still I Rise.

As with all collections, my rating refers to my overall impression, an informal average. In this set of poems, I found several which I loved for the rhythym & rhyme, several others I loved for the content. Others I found stirred up my feelings, which I admire and are powerful but disturbing. Only a few left me uninterested.

I would strongly recommend this poetry, especially to women. Angelou has a strong feminist voice as well as a voice for African-Americans. She captures the anger as well as the pride, the hope and the despair

This collection of Dr. Johnson's poetry is absolutely beautiful. Maya Angelou, as she is otherwise known, masters the technique of imagery and appeals to every sense of being that a person can have. The poem I gravitate towards every time I read this book is "Amazement Awaits". This poem is gives life and purpose to every individual no matter their race or size. It is such an inspiring and truth-capturing poem, as is the entire book.

I think it's good. I don't read much poetry, but I like it. My favorites are the following: Willie on p. 236; One More Round on p. 244; Still I Rise on p. 255; and On Aging on p. 266.

I really liked this collection of her poetry. Although, I was not a fan of all of it but still, the majority I enjoyed. It's easy to read and find her poems within the book.

Favourites were-
No loser, no weeper
They went home
Remembering
In a time
To a husband
We saw beyond our seeming
My guilt
Harlem Hopscotch
Poor girl
Alone
Wonder
Africa
Song for the old ones
Where we belong, A duet
Willie
Still I rise
Equality
These yet to be United States
A black woman speaks to black manhood