Song for the Old Ones Poem by Maya Angelou
Song for the Old Ones
My Fathers sit on benches
their flesh counts every plank
the slats leave dents of darkness
deep in their withered flanks.
They nod like broken candles
all waxed and burnt profound
they say 'It's understanding
that makes the world go round.'
There in those pleated faces
I see the auction block
the chains and slavery's coffles
the whip and lash and stock.
My Fathers speak in voices
that shred my fact and sound
they say 'It's our submission
that makes the world go round.'
They used the finest cunning
their naked wits and wiles
the lowly Uncle Tomming
and Aunt Jemima's smiles.
They've laughed to shield their crying
then shuffled through their dreams
and stepped 'n' fetched a country
to write the blues with screams.
I understand their meaning
it could and did derive
from living on the edge of death
They kept my race alive.
Slavery has, indeed, left a grim mark on history and this poem's graphical portrayal of it is very real.
I understand their meaning it could and did derive from living on the edge of death They kept my race alive. Great work dear poet.
This is a beautiful poem the way she incorporates fear, sadness, anguish, hope and optimism all in one poem is just brilliant.
They nod like broken candles all waxed and burnt profound they say 'It's understanding that makes the world go round.' a very fine poem of Maya
They nod like broken candles all waxed and burnt profound they say 'It's understanding that makes the world go round.' a great poem. wonderful images. tony
I understand their meaning it could and did derive from living on the edge of death They kept my race alive. They kept my race alive. a wonderful poem. tony
from living on the edge of death They kept my race alive. /// the ending life of one brave hero cause of living or lives of thousands of people peacefully
A remarkabetouching poem. While nobody wants to live the life of slavery and subservience the power to endure and survive is remarkable in humans. A hope for better future survives all hardship.
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4/24/2024 8:22:45 AM # 1.0.0.1119
So sad she hit her due date; (