BREAKING NEWS: Poet Maya Angelou dead at 86
Author, Poet Maya Angelou dead at 86
Renowned poet, author Maya Angelou dead at 86
Dr. Maya Angelou dead: Celebrated author, poet - dead at 86
Maya Angelou Dead -- American Poet Laureate dead at 86
It has been reported that Dr. Maya Angelou has transitioned to the ancestors. It makes me uncomfortable; all the news reports that say "Maya Angelou dead at 86." Perhaps, I am uneasy because in my mind, this is a lie. The truth is, she will never be "dead at" anything. Any being who lived and thrived given the life of Marguerite Ann Johnson has long proved to have cracked the code on immortality.
I dare say, Dr. Maya Angelou has attained an immortality reserved for fellow luminaries of her generation. Fundamentally, artists never die. We live forever in the work birthed through us. However, this is only a part of the immortality that Dr. Angelou has attained. Dr. Maya Angelou is momma- auntie-matriarch; we all know, beings who hold these titles may physically pass, but live on in the minds and hearts of generations. So, matriarch and artist make two parts immortal. However, these parts do not complete the being. Dr. Angelou has earned her third part immortal as teacher to humanity. Dr. Maya Angelou's stated purpose has been realized, "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."
While the above message is pertinant to all beings, it rings deep for a certain group in particular. We diaspora peoples, hold Dr. Maya Angelou dear for all her parts and lessons; the most powerful to me, is authentically being in a world long poised to erase the option. Being remarkably authentic, teaching a group of people that perseverance, grace and happiness are real, attainable, and a birthright is what Dr. Angelou has done and will continue to do.
Through her living and accounting we are acknowledged, are affirmed, and are able to excavate so much about ourselves. She is the gifted and the gift-er; we will open what she has saved for us over and over again. My daughters and yours, my sons and yours -- all the new beings that burst their way into this physical plane have the blessing of her life. We have been gifted an example of how to thrive when it wasn't meant for us to survive. What love like this could be dead at 86? This love, exists in bounty forever family, forever. Dr. Maya Angelou in her living, showed us how to thrive.
Now she transitions to join what Saul Williams calls, a generation of generators. May there be more laughing with Langston, and dancing with Baldwin and Baraka; more talking and walking with Martin and Malcolm. Now, having attained all the immortality that may exist for a being of this plane, she can join our stars and examples, she can return home. Dr. Maya Angelou's harvest will continue the work she has always existed to do - guide people into the way of love, to the way of thriving, to the way of light. Dr. Maya Angelou will never die, family - she'll always be here. Just like she always was.
Thank you for your life Momma Angelou, Ashe.
