Maya Angelou and Tavis Smiley in Conversation
Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009
by Jean Purcell
OpineBooks.com
From Harlem
Maya Angelou speaks
With Tavis in LA
He questions
And she answers
About this life's too-brief day
"I am like a grain of sand"
She says
An invisible granule in her hand
Between two fingers
She holds it, and says she adds
Her life's grain to the pile
Of other grains
"I am part of building that pyramid"
That's what she says
"Where is home?" asks Tavis
She smiles and says to him
"If the Lord lets me know in advance
"I want to go back to Winston-Salem
That's where I want to meet Him
I have people there
"That's where I want to be
when He calls me"
She smiles again, and T takes it in
I think T Smiley grasps her thought
That in fleeting time she needs
No more applause, riches, or fame
I read between her lines
"No longer do I need approval, praise,
Great titles or degrees"
She tries to guard her soul
Until its rise into Forevermore
And, meanwhile, seeks more understanding here
Poet, sculptor, painter,
Speaker, builder, artist
Of vast levels of deep experience
And faith. Maya Angelou.
With her I have things in common
And opinions not alike
Her life and hope
Her phrases and her seeking
Heart meet me and every listening ear
There is a calm realness
Beyond the crowd, the society of debate
There is a light within, for dark days
She reaches out to others
With whom she shares
This brevity of years
In light of timeless Eternity
The desire for God I too await
The good Lord's invitation to rise and go
His call has its authenticity of Father, Spirit, Son
And draws many to Himself
Before their "Too late, life's done"
He may call us up from Memphis
from Harlem, Detroit, or LA
Jacksonville, Milwaukee
Or El Paso, Mandelay
Paris, Thun, the Negev
Iceland, Korea, or Saint Paul
Numberless names of places
On this sphere of time. Wait
For the privilege of life beyond
With saints of old and yesterday
In joy unspeakable
And full of glory
This weight of glory
We now bear to follow
Him to every lonely Calvary
But unlike Him we do not
Go alone, we follow Him
Who went that way
To set souls free
He calls to Maya A, to Tavis
You and others, and me too, one day
Success or failure
Health or sickness
Whole or broken hearted
He takes in ones who
Ask "Lord, remember me when"
From crosses old or new
Of suffering or of shame
Yet where the heart still can speak
And Jesus says, "This day, with Me you'll be"
O Sweet Paradise with God
Whose Light is seen by those
With courage to seek, ask, and believe
Christ calls to multitudes on byways
The valleys and the hills
"Come and rest
"Free of time and care
Unchained by distance or
All that once did bind you
"Come unto Me, all you
Heavy laden, and I will
Give you rest"
Maya, Tavis, thank you
That in normal evening's
Talking back and forth
An interview helped by Technology
(That too will one day end)
Gives vicarious participation
The tender conversation
Of mentor, admirer
And friend, of M and T
I hear a fresh lucidity
And know the broken heart finds mending
The Voice will bring its call
Some write in simple lines
Like these, musings of
One child of the King
Oh, to live and keep on going
In expectation of Heaven
And enjoyment even here and now
Of some holy Conversation.
Jane,This is such a beautiful write! I truly appreciate you sharing it with us.Amen to that, Ronyae! (Hi to ya!) :-)Dear Ronyae,
I appreciate your comment so much. I was nervous about putting my untaught poetic style "out there," so I take your words to heart, that it was OK.
Thank you!
Jane
Wow, Jane! I've just wow'd twice in less than 10 minutes. How lovely is this?!?! I want to say awesome but I reserve that word for One. *smile* It's the next best thing to it! Magnificent! You have much in common with Maya Angelou, yes! This is brilliance and I was enchanted by it as I read it, Jane. I am in agreement with Ronyae. Thank you for sharing this masterpiece with us. You never cease to amaze with your gift. You have been blessed and are a blessing. Forever grateful to you my dear friend. -AvisDear Avis,
It is my turn to say "Wow!" Also, God bless your commitment to apply "awesome" to One, and only One. To Him be the glory! Your affirming words almost overwhelm me. I believe that you know already that I know it is all owed to Another for whatever I can do.
God bless you abundantly and continually--in your life, help to others, and every need and holy conversation that you have now and always.
Your friend,
Jane
hi jane,i also said wow a few times.this was a brilliant piece. i don't know how you could think like that but it was intense, and full of feeling. the shame of some things in my past were haunting me for years, and one day, my kids were small, and i was watching oprah, and maya was on, and she said, "we do what we know how to do, and when we know better, we do better." that saying has been a part of my life ever since, and my healing, thanks for a heartwarming and soul searching article, both for you and the reader,if there was a 6, i'd give you a 6.my best regards,sue