Too Short for a Blog Post, Too Long for a Tweet 459

 

Here are a few excerpts from a book I recently read, "The Complete Poetry," by Maya Angelou.

No Loser, No Weeper 

“I hate to lose something,” 

then she bent her head, 

“even a dime, I wish I was dead. 

I can’t explain it. No more to be said. 

'Cept I hate to lose something. 

“I lost a doll once and cried for a week. 

She could open her eyes, and do all but speak. 

I believe she was took, by some doll-snatching sneak. 

I tell you, I hate to lose something. 

“A watch of mine once, got up and walked away. 

It had twelve numbers on it and for the time of day. 

I’ll never forget it and all I can say Is 

I really hate to lose something. 

“Now if I felt that way ’bout a watch and a toy, 

What you think I feel ’bout my lover-boy? 

I ain’t threatening you, madam, but he is my evening’s joy. 

And I mean I really hate to lose something.”

In a Time 

In a time of secret wooing 

Today prepares tomorrow’s ruin 

Left knows not what right is doing 

My heart is torn asunder. 

In a time of furtive sighs 

Sweet hellos and sad goodbyes 

Half-truths told and entire lies 

My conscience echoes thunder. 

In a time when kingdoms come 

Joy is brief as summer’s fun 

Happiness its race has run 

Then pain stalks in to plunder.

Call Letters: Mrs. V. B. 

Ships? 

Sure I’ll sail them. 

Show me the boat, 

If it’ll float, 

I’ll sail it. 

Men? 

Yes I’ll love them. 

If they’ve got the style, 

To make me smile, 

I’ll love them. 

Life? 

'Course I’ll live it. 

Let me have breath, 

Just to my death,

And I’ll live it. 

Failure? 

I’m not ashamed to tell it, 

I never learned to spell it. 

Not Failure.