Dearest Maya Angelou represented so much to me. My mom & I used to read her books together. (her autobiographical Caged Bird Series) She was the zenith of African American Artistic Achievement. She had such dignity and elegance. She was the Poetess, the Sage, the Wonderful Crone. As long as she was around I felt a connection to the familiar. She represented a generation of Black Renaissance, a Freedom Fighter who survived Jim Crow and was active in the Movement and then, there are those sweet memories of reading her books (side by side) with Mommy… Can one love an author as one would love family? In this case I must answer: yes.
By // by Lynne Jordan
When I heard of her passing, I felt like another beautiful spirit had left the earth. Her books and poems and personality were so powerful in my growing up. She was the calm to my storm. The blanket for my chill and the voice of reason when I had doubt. God bless her.