“On the Pulse of the Morning”
I met up this morning with my friend Rachel for a walk with the girls and amongst the things we chatted about, books featured strongly. We’re both keen readers, Rachel’s a journalist and it’s always great to share book ramblings with others who enjoy a diverse range of reading.
We talked this morning about Maya Angelou’s life and how we both find her writing inspirational, especially against the background of her earlier traumatic life; this has prompted me to share more of one of her poems that appears in snippets in Susie-Belle’s book.
These lines open Chapter 19:
To fear, yoked eternally
To brutishness.
Each new hour holds new chances
For new beginnings.
Do not be wedded forever
To fear, yoked eternally
To brutishness.
The horizon leans forward,
Offering you space to place new steps of change.
Here, on the pulse of this fine day
You may have the courage
To look up and out upon me, the
Rock, the River, the Tree, your country.
It’s such potent, skilful writing, not for nothing is Maya Angelou regarded as one of the most influential writers of our day. If you get a chance to immerse yourself in more of her writing, it will be time well spent. Starting with the full version of “On the Pulse of the Fine Morning” would be an enjoyable start. I Promise.
