Dr. Maya Angelou - An Exclamation Point on the World!

Fly high Grand Bird and thank you so very much! R.I.P. Dr. Angelou. You blessed us greatly with your song!

“Caged Bird

A free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and floats downstream till the current ends
and dips his wing in the orange suns rays and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage
can seldom see through his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.”
― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

First Recital - A Poem for My Mother

First Recital

She pulled the sash tight, the organza bow
perfect, my petticoats stiff, ego
inflated enough to face the music.

Fingers, not yet long enough to add elegance
to sound, hunt with precision,
echoing the road map in my mind's ear
as I play a remarkable Flight of the Bumble-bee.

Second row, third seat left
she sits next to Dad,
hands clutched against her breast
praying me through.

I bow instead of curtsey
though we've drilled for days.
She cries instead of cheers
reminded of the countdown
between us that has already
begun.



Peggy Eldridge-Love
You Beckon