Oh pray my wings are gonna fit me well

This is Maya Angelou's second volume of poems and her poetry is just as much a part of her autobiography as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Gather Together in My Name. She writes deceptively simple songs of experience that are disarming because there isn't any conventional persona between her and you when she says ""Come. And Be My Baby."" She's a funky kind of mother with a lowdown wisdom of the heart, which may be why you open to her sentiment. Mostly these are poems about and for people, especially children. Like ""John J.,"" whose momma didn't want him or ""Little Girl Speakings"" which makes something special of the contention that ""Ain't nobody better's my Daddy."" There's one about ""The Telephone"" that never rings when you need it; and a number of rhymed and repetitive lyrics that might almost be incantations to comfort the lonely. It's all so damned artless, there's just no accounting for how strong she is, except to say Maya's got the gift. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Pickin Em Up and Layin Em Down   There's a long-legged girl in San Francisco by the Golden Gate. She said she'd give me all I wanted but I just couldn't wait. I started to Pickin em up and layin em down, Pickin em up and layin em down, Pickin em up and layin em down, gettin to the next town Baby.   There's a pretty brown in Birmingham Boys, she little and cute but when she like to tied me down I had to grab my suit and started to Pickin em up and layin em down, Pickin em up and layin em down, Pickin em up and layin em down, gettin to the next town Baby.   I met that lovely Detroit lady and thought my time had come But just before I said "I do" I said "I got to run" and started to Pickin em up and layin em down, Pickin em up and layin em down, Pickin em up and layin em down, gettin to the next town Baby.   There ain't no words for what I feel about a pretty face But if I stay I just might miss a prettier one some place I started to Pickin em up and layin em down, Pickin em up and layin em down, Pickin em up and layin em down, gettin to the next town Baby.   Here's to Adhering   I went to a party out in Hollywood, The atmosphere was shoddy but the drinks were good, and that's where I heard you laugh.   I then went cruising on an old Greek ship, The crew was amusing but the guests weren't hip, that's where I found your hands.   On to the Sahara in a caravan, The sun struck like an arrow but the nights were grand, and that's how I found your chest.   An evening in the Congo where the Congo ends, I found myself alone, oh but I made some friends, that's where I saw your face.   I have been devoting all my time to get Parts of you out floating still unglued as yet.   Won't you pull yourself together For       Me O N C E   Excerpted from Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well: Poems by Maya Angelou All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.