The late, great Dr. Maya Angelou. 1 / 9
IN his recent Twitter post, which I suppose the world awaits periodically, Pope Francis counseled, May we never talk about others behind their backs, but speak to them openly about what we think. What makes this Pope s brief teachings popular and acceptable is that he tells us what we already know, or have read in FB or have heard before. But, because it comes from the Pope and it is communicated in simple and plain language, it becomes more appealing to many. What I m about to write is the trigger why I cited the Pope. Last Sunday morning at around 8 a.m. California time, one of the most beautiful mornings happened in my visit to the Golden State. Speaking of my FB friend Glenda Equipado s recent posting that hope happens in the morning, when I opened my eyes and turned on the TV in my hotel room in San Diego, I saw one of the most eloquent speakers in America in action. Former President Bill Clinton was talking and telling the world via CNN about someone openly. He was paying tribute to the widely-admired poet, writer, educator, actress and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, who died on May 28. 2 / 9
The occasion was a memorial service held at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. President Clinton shared with us his experiences and observations about the late poet. (It may be recalled it was Maya Angelou who read her poem titled On the Pulse of Morning during the first inauguration of President Clinton in 1993.) Maya Angelou represented a big piece of American history...she was always paying attention and called our attention to what she had paid attention to, said Mr. Clinton. One example I found of what the former president meant was this stanza from Caged Bird : The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard he on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom. The above poem has parallelism to Filipino patriotic song Bayan Ko. The difference lies in what a caged bird does. In Bayan Ko,...ibon mang may layang lumipad, kulungin moat umiiyak... 3 / 9
The caged bird cries. In Angelou s, the caged bird sings. But both cry and sing of freedom. This same poet once said that a caged bird sings not because she has words but because she has a song. Song of freedom. Another trait of this poet who touched so many souls around the earth with the power of her poetry, President Clinton said, was what she wrote that kindness can be dared by all; no need to pay. Incidentally, kindness is one of the most mentioned virtues in the Bible. I Loved Maya, concluded the former president. Oprah Winfrey It was one of the many sharings of Oprah Winfrey in her talk where we got our title from. The influential media magnate revealed that during her last visit to Dr. Maya Angelou at the latter s house in Winston-Salem, NC, she was greeted by the poet at the door with Hello, my darling girl! 4 / 9
When I heard that sentence, I jumped to my daughter s bed, who was half awake, but also listening pala to the tributes and asked her, Did you hear what Oprah just said, my darling girl? Yes, that s how I have been addressing my Nina since she was a little girl. (She calls me my darling boy. ) I told myself, So, there is something parallel between Maya Angelou s and MLC s minds. LOL! To think of a quote which says, Great minds run along parallel lines. Hehehe! (References to me are merely jokes.) Oprah also revealed her close friendship with the poet. She said she would call her friend each time she had serious problem. While facing a court case somewhere in the midwest for saying something about a hamburger, she said she called her friend. 5 / 9
Oprah said Dr. Angelou told her, Don t worry. The bright light of the rainbow is already on your face. Oprah won the case. Ms. Winfrey referred to her friend as her Spiritual Queen Mother. This aspect of Oprah Winfrey s life tells us about the importance of seeking advice from others. As renowned writer Ortega y Gasset said, The best ideas come from others. Michelle Obama The third speaker that morning was First Lady Michelle Obama. CNN reported in substance the following: She taught us that we are each wonderfully made, intricately woven and put on this earth for a purpose, the First Lady said during her tribute. Mrs. Obama said Angelou s poem Phenomenal Woman had a profound impact on her life. I was struck by how she celebrated black women s beauty like no one had ever dared to, the First Lady said. 6 / 9
She also graced us with an anthem for all women, a call to all of us to embrace our God-given beauty. How desperately black girls needed that message, the First Lady said, remembering that as a young girl her first doll was a white Malibu Barbie. Citing the remarkable achievements and the dignity of Maya Angelou, as well as their own accomplishments, both Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey appealed to America to regard black American women as equals, and to uplift their standing in society. *** Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I m not cute or built to suit a fashion model s size But when I start to tell them, They think I m telling lies. I say, It s in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That s me. I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. 7 / 9
Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That s me. Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can t touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say, It s in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That s me. Now you understand Just why my head s not bowed. I don t shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It s in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, Cause I m a woman Phenomenally. 8 / 9
Phenomenal woman, That s me. 9 / 9