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Men

rukowski on 25. Jun, 2012 — Lang: English

Men

  • Description

    Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Ann Johnson on April 4, 1928) an American author and poet who has been called "America's most visible black female autobiographer" by scholar Joanne M. Braxton. She is best known for her series of six autobiographical volumes, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first and most highly acclaimed, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her first seventeen years. It brought her international recognition, and was nominated for a National Book Award. She has been awarded over 30 honorary degrees and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her 1971 volume of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie.

    http://mayaangelou.com/

    This strip is a reply to The Child Who Survived, crazy room

    Transcript

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    When I was young, I used to
    Watch behind the curtains
    As men walked up and down the street. Wino men, old men.
    Young men sharp as mustard.
    See them. Men are always
    Going somewhere.
    They knew I was there. Fifteen
    Years old and starving for them.
    Under my window, they would pauses,
    Their shoulders high like the
    Breasts of a young girl,
    Jacket tails slapping over
    Those behinds,
    Men.

    One day they hold you in the
    Palms of their hands, gentle, as if you
    Were the last raw egg in the world. Then
    They tighten up. Just a little. The
    First squeeze is nice. A quick hug.
    Soft into your defenselessness. A little
    More. The hurt begins. Wrench out a
    Smile that slides around the fear. When the
    Air disappears,
    Your mind pops, exploding fiercely, briefly,
    Like the head of a kitchen match. Shattered.
    It is your juice
    That runs down their legs. Staining their shoes.
    When the earth rights itself again,
    And taste tries to return to the tongue,
    Your body has slammed shut. Forever.
    No keys exist.

    Then the window draws full upon
    Your mind. There, just beyond
    The sway of curtains, men walk.
    Knowing something.
    Going someplace.
    But this time, I will simply
    Stand and watch.

    Maybe.

    Maya Angelou

    Tags:
    Maya Angelou, rukowski, poetry
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