Maya Angelou On The Pulse Of Morning

The poem “On the Pulse of Morning” by Maya Angelou. Captivating and articulate, this is an extraordinary piece of writing that embodies a meaning greater than itself. Angelou’s use of analogy and metaphors derives from the challenges present at the time. To start, “A Rock, A River, A Tree Hosts to species long since departed, Marked the mastodon, The dinosaur, who left dried tokens Of their sojourn here On our planet floor, Any broad alarm of their hastening doom Is lost in the gloom of dust and ages.” (Angelou) This quote begins the poem and initiates an overall reconciliation theme that follows throughout the poem. Angelou’s goal was to create a connection between what we already know and the problems that she was addressing, ultimately to

This being the first of the challenges to be addressed shows that Angelou believed how we speak to one another holds great power in facing challenges. Another, “Each of you, a bordered country, Delicate and strangely made proud, Yet thrusting perpetually under siege. Your armed struggles for profit Have left collars of waste upon My shore, currents of debris upon my breast. Yet today I call you to my riverside, If you will study war no more.” (Angelou) This quote addresses the environmental challenges created by urbanization. Though environmental challenges were seen as less of an issue during this time they were still issues, just fighting to be taken seriously. Continuing, “There is a true yearning to respond to The singing River and the wise Rock. So say the Asian, the Hispanic, the Jew The African, the Native American, the Sioux, The Catholic, the Muslim, the French, the Greek The Irish, the Rabbi, the Priest, the Sheik, The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher, The privileged, the homeless, the

“Each of you, descendant of some passed On traveller, has been paid for. You, who gave me my first name, you, Pawnee, Apache, Seneca, you Cherokee Nation, who rested with me, then Forced on bloody feet, Left me to the employment of Other seekers –– desperate for gain, Starving for gold. You, the Turk, the Arab, the Swede, the German, the Eskimo, the Scot, You the Ashanti, the Yoruba, the Kru, bought, Sold, stolen, arriving on the nightmare Praying for a dream.” (Angelou) Following the addressing of challenges Angelou provides quotes that speak for the hope of a brighter future. “History, despite its wrenching pain Cannot be unlived, but if faced With courage, need not be lived again.” (Angelou) “The horizon leans forward, Offering you space to place new steps of change. Here, on the pulse of this fine day You may have the courage To look up and out and upon me, the Rock, the River, the Tree, your country. No less to Midas than the