THANK YOU ( for Maya Angelou)
Thank you may not be enough for all you’ve given, Maya
Poems that lifted the world above pain and strife
Sonnets that became beacons of hope and light
The magic in your smile that made weary hearts sing
Reassuring words that taught us that even caged birds have wings
You were our dream keeper, our sage, the propellant for our rise
Thank you for wiping away tears from freedom-searching eyes
You gave us dance, song, and laughter and put jazz back in our struts
Replaced the alienating I and Me for the unifying Us
For all that you have given thank you may not be enough
By Layding Lumumba Kaliba
Copyright © 2022 by By Layding Lumumba Kaliba from the upcoming book FROM JUMP STREET (a burnt offering)
Layding Lumumba Kaliba is an award-winning poet and author of six books of poetry, including the soon-to-released, FROM JUMP STREET (a burnt offering).