The late Maya Angelou was a talented and celebrated poet, who wrote many poems in her lifetime. But how many did she write exactly? The exact number is unknown as her prolific career spanned many decades. She wrote hundreds of poems, essays, and articles; it’s difficult to determine precisely how many poems she wrote. However, her official website lists 39 published volumes of poetry, which may give us some clue into the sheer number of poems she wrote.
Maya Angelou published the first volume of her poetry in 1971. Titled Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Die, she was almost 50 years old when her first book was released. Since then, she went on to publish two more volumes in the 1970s, two more in the 1980s and four in the 1990s. All throughout her career, Angelou’s themes revolved around topics such as civil rights, identity and the power of resilience.
In the early 2000s, Angelou went on to publish a further four poetry volumes as well as her autobiography series. In a 2010 interview, Angelou recounted writing and finishing a poem every morning. The poem she wrote in the morning would give her a spark of inspiration to get her through the day. This routine shows the sheer dedication of her craft, and the incredible output of her work.
Angelou wrote diversely across many different topics. Her themes were varied and many; they included topics such as feminism, injustice, race and even hope. It’s impossible to state exactly how many poems Angelou wrote in her lifetime. But it’s safe to say she was a prolific writer and that many of her pieces are still celebrated as some of the most moving writings.
Maya Angelou has been remembered as one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. Her writings captured many powerful topics and gave a voice to people of colour. Though the exact total of her poems remains unknown, her legacy will continue to live on. Her words are powerful and timeless, reminding us of her immense talent and our need to fight for justice and equality.
Different Volumes
As mentioned before, Angelou published a total of 39 volumes of her poetry. These volumes titled included Among the Women, Life Doesn’t Frighten Me, Couldn’t Keep It To Myself, The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou, Phenomenal Woman and many more. From 1971 until 2002, Maya Angelou continued to produce ground-breaking collections of journalism, essays and poetry.
Angelou’s works spoke to people of all backgrounds and ages. Furthermore, with every poem that she wrote, Angelou aimed to inspire us to stand up for social justice. During her prolific career, she wrote and published many beautiful pieces that touched on topics of racism, sex, feminism and identity. Her use of language was graceful, and her words transcended multiple generations.
Even though the exact number of poems written by Angelou is unknown, there are hundreds of lines, phrases and stanzas written by her that still influence and inspire a new generation of poets. Many of her poems have been featured in school curriculums and reproductions of her works can be found in anthologies, albums and TV shows.
Maya Angelou was capable of writing on many topics with immense power and beauty. Her works will remain relevant and her popularity will continue to grow as more and more of her works are rediscovered. As Angelou once said, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
Influences on Her Work
Angelou was a passionate advocate for civil rights, and her works reflected this. Many of her poems addressed issues such as racism and sexism, and she often spoke about the importance of standing together against any form of injustice. Her works also discussed topics from her personal life, such as her struggles with poverty and her identity as a black woman, often touching upon difficult topics in a sensitive way.
Her works were heavily influenced by the African-American culture of her childhood. Residents of Stamps, Arkansas in the 1930s often experienced the horrible racist laws that sought to divide and oppress people of colour. Despite living in a segregated and disadvantaged community, Angelou was able to find beauty in the culture that surrounded her. She made an effort to capture this beauty by using her own words.
In addition, Angelou’s outlook was heavily influenced by her interactions with prominent figures such as Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, George Jackson and more. From Martin Luther King to author James Baldwin, Angelou was always surrounded by inspiring individuals that questioned the status quo and demanded change. Her works show that she was heavily inspired by the people around her and their powerful words of resiliency.
Angelou’s writing style was also heavily steeped in musicality and rhythm. As a young woman, Angelou was heavily influenced by the sounds of gospel and blues music that surrounded her. She incorporated this same musicality and rhythm into her writing, creating powerful works that can still be heard echoing in our hearts today.
Angelou’s Legacy
Maya Angelou’s death in 2014 was met with great sadness, but she left behind a powerful legacy that still resonates today. Her works were translated into 40 different languages, including Spanish, French and German, and they were celebrated internationally. She was even awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 for her contribution to the world of literature.
Throughout her life, Angelou was a creative force who used her words to fight for equality and justice. Many of her works are still known and appreciated today, and her influence continues to live on. In her poem ‘Still I Rise’ she wrote, “Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave.” Indeed, Maya Angelou’s legacy lives on through her gifts of words.
Resonating Across Generations
Many of Maya Angelou’s works remain relevant to this day, and they continue to attract the attention of readers old and young. Her collections of poetry and her memoirs are still important sources of inspiration and hope. Her writings are often used in classrooms to demonstrate the power of words and her poems continue to be quoted and shared on social media.
Angelou was an advocate for change, and she actively encouraged people to use their voice in pursuit of justice. Her works embodied aspects of her own experiences, from struggles with her identity to her fight for civil rights. Her poetry was powerful and emotive – each poem saw Angelou dig deep within her soul and unearth an inner strength.
Maya Angelou left a powerful legacy that continues to inspire us all. Whether it’s her poem ‘Still I Rise’ or her collections of essays, her works have captivated readers for many years. Angelou’s words will remain timeless, reminding us of the need to stand up for justice and fight against injustice.
The Power of Her Voice
Maya Angelou’s voice was incredibly powerful; her words resonated with people of all different backgrounds and said powerful things about topics such as race, identity and justice. Her works highlighted the plight of many minority groups, including African Americans, women, and Indigenous Peoples. Her works continue to spotlight the negative effects of marginalization and show how strength, resilience and courage can prevail.
Angelou was passionate in her fight for civil rights and these passions often shone through her works. She wrote poignantly and managed to capture the need for change, particularly when it came to the subjugation of people of color. Many of her works focused on topics such as police brutality and protests in order to evince a need for action.
Maya Angelou was an important figure of the civil rights movement and her works served to educate and inspire. Her heart-wrenching words often spoke out against racism and oppression; her beautiful works will remain valuable for many years to come.
Continuing the Conversation
In addition to Maya Angelou’s writings, her words were often used as powerful social commentary. The late civil rights leader often spoke out against topics such as sexism, violence and racism. Her words were often quoted as she spoke on difficult topics to try and evoke change, and her powerful voice will be remembered for many years to come.
Final ThoughtsThough the exact number of poems she wrote will never be known, Maya Angelou’s legacy will continue to live on. Her works were often poignant and emotive, providing powerful commentary on social injustices. Her words will remain timeless, reminding us of the need to fight for justice and equality. Angelou’s works will continue to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds, showing the power of poetry to drive change.
