A beautiful and inspiring collection of poetry by Maya Angelou, author of I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS and ''a brilliant writer, a fierce friend and a truly phenomenal woman'' (BARACK OBAMA).''I write about being a Black American woman, however, I am always talking about what it''s like to be a human being. This is how we are, what makes us laugh, and this is how we fall and how we somehow, amazingly, stand up again'' Maya AngelouMaya Angelou''s poetry - lyrical and dramatic, exuberant and playful - speaks of love, longing, partings; of Saturday night partying, and the smells and sounds of Southern cities; of freedom and shattered dreams. ''Her poetry is just as much a part of her autobiography as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and the volumes that follow.'' Kirkus''It is true poetry she is writing . . . it has an innate purity about it, unquenchable dignity'' M. F. K. Fisher