Today May 28, 2014, I woke up to hear of the SAD NEWS of the passing my ONE OF MY FELLOW #POETS & #LITERARY MENTORS --------> Maya Angelou (May your soul R.I.P) I can recall during our English Methodology class at the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers College (K3) 1999 fellow classmate and friend Nerline Ballentyne presented one of her poems PHENOMENAL WOMAN. I loved it but did not know the person who wrote it. When I came to Canada in 2002 and began penning my thoughts poetically, I saw Maya Angelou on the Oprah Winfrey Show and was inspired at her eloquence in articulating her thoughts and I connected with her right away. In 2004 while I was working as a hairdresser with the #AFRICAN EX BOSS, one of the clients who knew me to love writing poetry at the time informed me that MAYA ANGELOU was expected to visit Montreal Bell Center for a presentation of her work OVER THE YEARS. I RESERVED MY SPOT, BOUGHT MY TICKET FOR $70.00, AND WAS EXCITED THAT I WOULD FINALLY GET TO SEE HER #LIVE! I arrived at the Bell Center all excited and to my amazement the hall was filled to capacity. I sat in the audience and listened in awe, filled with a strong sense of BLACK PRIDE that I was blessed with the opportunity to be able to sit in the presence both #GRACE & #BEAUTY. I was not able to shake her hands nor greet her as the seat Id reserved was at the center of the room. Nonetheless that didnt really matter much to me since I felt a great sense of satisfaction from the way in which she so eloquently portrayed her work. I have to say this was by far the best $70 I have spent to sit in a live audience of any kind and if I had to do it all over again I would even pay twice as much. I am saddened by the sudden passing of this great #literary #stalwart for she has inspired me as a writer in so many ways too numerous to mention. May the next generation of writers continue to carry the torch which she has lit and left burning for us and raise the bar she sat so that more souls will be touched by this noble gift (writing). I NOW JOIN WITH #POETS/AUTHORS ALIKE IN THANKING HER FOR A LIFE WELL LIVED AND WELL AIDED IN ADVANCING THE CAUSE OF #HUMANIY through her inspirational writings. We will always love and adore your reputable collection of literary work and will forever withdraw you famous #QUOTES, #EXCERPTS, & #POEMS from your #LiteraryBank. MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND MAY YOU ALSO BE CAUGHT UP IN THE 1S RESURRECTION. Amen! Clairon Haynes Teacher/Author/Poet
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 15:09:07 +0000