The Next Best Book Club discussion

Hi all! The discussion for this book doesn't actually kick off until tomorrow but I'll be at work for most of the day and wanted to make sure you could all hop over and start chatting without waiting on me.

Eva will be your discussion leader for the month!

Have at it : )

I think i may have started this book, don't think i finished it though. I need another book like i need a hole in my head, but i'll read it so i can contribute. Happy reading!

No, nevermind, i hadn't read it. I'm not really into poetry.

The title of this months poetry pic "I shall not be moved" by Maya Angelou.

How would you make this collection of poems stand out from other poetry you've read? What makes it different , interesting or memorable for you?

I need to start this book ASAP!

Seems like a nice book. I would love to read & discuss it. Poetry needs discussion for sure :) I've seen that everyone gets different meaning out of the words.

That's true to some degree, I definitely agree, but I think her writing is more purposeful and honest then that. Consider these lines....
from 'Our Grandmother's', "However I have been perceived or decieved, however my ignorance and conceits, lay aside your fears that I shall be undone, for I shall not be moved".
Or from 'Insignificant' "two yellow-striped bumblebees got lost in my hair... when I freed them drone away into the afternoon." I can see how you could interpret words in so many ways, yet the words are only part of the larger poem. These are only some of my favorite lines.... Feel free to discuss what you like or don't.

This book seems awesome

Has anyone has read her novel, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?" As I'm reading these poems I came across "Born That Way" and I was immediately thrust back into the most tragic and heartbreaking moment in the book. Angelou' works are real, sometimes devastatingly so. No subject is off limits. Her words create beautiful and bold statement about the world surrounding, the black community, poverty, what is good with the world, and so much more. Thank you for bringing this book to my attention. I'm highlighting so many lines that I love!

Evalani, I also enjoyed the poem, "Insignificant." The bumble bees created a great visual in my mind. The poem was a subtle reminder to pay attention to all things big and small in this world.

The first Poem Worker's song, is not only written rather rhythmically, praising, and lamenting as an introductory but also opens the work with a poetical structure that is common. How do you like this poem?

The second poem Human Family is truly ryming and contains seeming contradictions, and humorous observation. What feeling did it arouse in you? 1)It has a unifying melody.
2) true and sad 3) I loved the obvious paradoxical vibe

What 1. Rochman, when she compares "Worker's Song" to Hughes' "Florida Road Workers", states that like Hughes, Angelou's poem combines rhythm and sense. She considers the poem the best in the volume, calling many of the other poems in I Shall Not Be Moved "too polemical".[11] Rochman says that the sensuous details in Angelou's best poems enlivens her abstractions, and finds no false sentiments in them. She also states, "The dying fall of many lines combined with the strong beat reinforces the feeling of struggle and uncertainty”.[11]”Wikipidia


How would you describe this poetry? Do you agree or disagree with this analysis?

Dealing with issues with lightness and familiarity makes these poems interesting and a match for all kinds of intellect. Traversing Man Bigot to Old Folks Laugh, i could read old Folks laugh about ten times. "I felt this poem was a sweet and special appreciation on the lives of Old Folks". The words are gentle, and a reminder not to take life so seriously. How did you feel about these two poems?

I guess that Maya's Poetry is less famous then her Novels. For anyone who has read her Novels how would you rate her poetry in comparison?

Do you see her poetry becoming better acknowledged after her passing?

"Why do we Journey, muttering like rumors among the stars?" Is a dimension lost?
from 'Is Love'.
Reminds me a bit of Shakespeare. Does her poetry remind you of another poet? If so Who?

Forgive and Insignificant : It is said that Angelou's poems embrace a larger group than only African Americans with her writing. She has a
place that resounds with all people. In these two poems, in "Forgive", and in "Insignificant", what do you make of the way she combines reality and imagery to create a poem that gives the "Title "words meaning. In the second poem they are sort of reversed.

Evalani says, "I could read Old Folks Laugh about ten times. I felt this poem was a sweet and special appreciation on the lives of Old Folks. The words are gentle and a reminder not to take life too seriously."

I agree and loved this poem because of the personal connection that I have to it. My grandparents are in a nursing home now, and their circumstances are not the greatest, health-wise. However, they have a certain peace and acceptance of getting old that I can appreciate. I hope I have an attitude like this if I'm blessed with a long life. Find joy always! These poems all mean something different to each of us, which is the true beauty of it all.

Angelo has different ways of discussing the issue of inequality in regards to race. The poem Equality has a message of encouragement. Sometimes there is a stronger message which feels like anger in some of her works. I think her words are a voice of power and confidence. I think she aims to eliminate ignorance about the inequalities that exist amongst races by discussing them openly. I believe the target audience for her words about inequalities is mankind; people of all walks of life, color, and backgrounds. In Grandmothers she writes, "In the classroom, loving the children to understanding." In Son to Mother she says "... I annihilate their ignorance." I think so much of what she writes is meant to teach others and change their way of thinking.

Meg wrote: "Has anyone has read her novel, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?" As I'm reading these poems I came across "Born That Way" and I was immediately thrust back into the most tragic and heartbreaking m..."

That is actually the first of her memoirs, not a novel

@Karin: How did you like her memoir?

Meg wrote: "@Karin: How did you like her memoir?"

I was very moved by the one I've read, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, but I read it when I was in high school, so it's been a very long time. I haven't read any of her other memoirs. I am reading this book of poems (about 75 percent of the way through) now, though.

@Karen wrote: I was moved by the one I've read, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings..."

I read it about 10 years ago, so I totally forgot that it was a memoir. I too, found it moving. Amazing how these poems reminded me of the book I read so long ago.

Meg wrote: "@Karen wrote: I was moved by the one I've read, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings..."

I read it about 10 years ago, so I totally forgot that it was a memoir. I too, found it moving. Amazing how th..."

I agree.

Okay, I have finished this book of poetry :) !

Evalani wrote: "I guess that Maya's Poetry is less famous then her Novels. For anyone who has read her Novels how would you rate her poetry in comparison?

Do you see her poetry becoming better acknowledged after..."

I had read Beloved and parts were confusing and parts were great storytelling. I think this book of poetry is similar. Some of the poems I didn't really get, while others were so compelling ... like the last poem in the book, that starts "when great trees fall."

Maya Angelou references Oberlin frequently in the poems so I checked online. I didn't know about the underground railroad connection. It was so fascinating to read about it and see some of the images/monuments. I am watching the series "Underground" on WGN and reading these poems right now with that context in mind, is very powerful.

She won awards for her poetry as well, but poetry is less widely read, so it makes sense that some of her other books are more popular.

What I found with these poems is that they are not all equally well written and composed. Some are downright brilliant, some good, a few not really that well done at all.

Thanks to Eva for hosting April's Group Read!!!!