Maya Angelou was an American poet, civil rights activist, and memoirist. Her autobiographical I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a standout in biographies. It was her first, of seven. As an African-American, she set a number of firsts, and she was generally a trailblazer. If we were talking about baseball, we’d be talking about Jackie Robinson.

Angelou’s writing style is based heavily in her life experiences, making her poetry quite accessible. She has been so influential that her poetry is sometimes referred to as Anthems for African Americans.

Powerful and distinctive, Maya Angelou’s style consisted of :

• Vivid imagery: Angelou paints descriptive pictures with her words, using rich metaphors, similes and sensory details. This helps bring her memories and experiences to life for the reader.

• Rhythmic prose: Angelou's writing has a lyrical, rhythmic quality, with repeating phrases, rhyme and alliteration. This rhythm mimics the African American oral tradition and jazz music that influenced her.

• Themes of resilience and overcoming adversity: Many of Angelou's works focus on her life experiences with racism, trauma and hardship, but they also celebrate the human capacity to persevere and grow.

• Use of personal narrative: Much of Angelou's writing takes the form of autobiographical poems and memoirs that recount key moments from her own life. This personal approach makes her writing deeply human and emotionally accessible

• African American vernacular and language: Angelou incorporates elements of African American speech patterns, musicality and vocabulary into her writing. This use of language celebrates her cultural heritage.

• Spirituality and transcendence: Although she experienced sufferings, Angelou's writing expresses hope and a belief in the redemptive power of love, faith and the human spirit. This spiritual dimension lifts her work beyond mere storytelling.

Vivid imagery, rhythmic prose, themes of resilience and hope, personal narrative, African American language and a spiritual feeling are elements of style that separate Maya Angelou from others poets. Her unique life, especially her involvement in the civil rights movement, give her a unique voice. Many readers find her poetry easy to understand and relatable.

Her themes of hope and progress make her work inspiring and uplifting.

Quotes

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

You can learn more about the incredible writer, and person, that was Maya Angelou at the official site.

• Jack Lhasa

• Joshua Owens

• Originally posted on Poetic Chimp