Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
Wisdom and beauty
This morning I came across a short poem by Maya Angelou that stopped my pre-dawn scrolling. Whenever I come into her presence, I pause and pay attention. I have been a follower since I read her first book, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”. The powerful story of how she lost her voice, then regained it, spoke to me on so many levels. It is also an epic personal journey through the horrors of racism. I couldn’t put it down and have never forgotten it.
She was a prolific writer of books, plays, movie scripts, and poetry. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson in Saint Louis in 1928, she lived through a difficult childhood, had her own child at age 16, survived rape and incest, and learned about white supremacy the hard way. None of that stopped her from becoming one of our most iconic public figures whose messages often had an element of optimism. I loved learning that she became the first Black female San Francisco cable car driver – just one of her breakthroughs into a role not usually occupied by women.
When she died in 2014 I felt a deep sadness at the loss of such a wise and beautiful woman. I knew that her words would always be available in print, and that hearing her deep intentional manner of speaking would be accessible through media outlets. I knew we had lost a remarkable energetic spark of God’s creation. On the day of her home going celebration, Jan and I watched every minute from our TV room in Santa Fe. I remember shedding tears periodically. Something happened that I have never seen – our dog, Minnie, planted herself in front of the television and, motionless, she watched right along with us. Jan and I were amazed that she stayed still through the whole thing, seemingly concentrating on the screen in front of her.
Maya Angelou was a Unity follower. As a very young woman she was in a voice class – the youngest student and the only person of color. The students had an assignment to read from a book of their choice. She chose one of Unity’s most read books called, “Lessons in Truth”, by Emily Cady. As she was reading a passage, the instructor told her to read a particular line over again. The few words she recited had a powerful effect on her. The words were, “God loves me”. She left the room, weeping. In an interview with Oprah in 2003 she said, “That’s why I am who I am, because God loves me, and I’m amazed at it.”
I think the most remarkable thing about Maya Angelou was her Presence. Her demeanor was always calm and elegant. She radiated a power that captured me every time I saw her. I still miss that, almost 10 years after her transition.
Here is her poem that caught my attention this quiet, pre-dawn, post-Christmas morning.
Alone
“Lying, thinking
Last night
How to find my soul a home
Where water is not thirsty
And bread loaf is not stone
I came up with one thing
And I don’t believe I’m wrong
That nobody
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.”