Maya Angelou Prayer for you

[jujube]

I came across this clipping, yellowed and wrinkled, in my junk drawer today. It had been on my refrigerator for years but I must have taken it down when I got a new one and stuffed it with a lot of other things in the drawer. It's going back up on the refrigerator immediately where I can look at it every day. As I'm sure you know, I'm not religious but I am something that I can't put my finger on. This poem resonates with me.

PRAYER

Father, Mother, God, Thank you for your presence during the hard and mean days,
For then we have you to lean upon.

Thank you for your presence during the bright and sunny days,
For then we can share that which we have with those who have less.

And thank you for your presence during the Holy Days,
For then we are able to celebrate you and our families and our friends.

For those who have no voice,
We ask you to speak.

For those who feel unworthy,
We ask you to pour your love out in waterfalls of tenderness.

For those who live in pain,
We ask you to bathe them in the river of your healing.

For those who are lonely,
We ask you to keep them company.

For those who are depressed,
We ask you to shower upon them the light of hope.

Dear Creator, You, the borderless sea of substance,
we ask you to give to all the world that which we need most.

-- Maya Angelou

 

[Trish]

Phenomenal Woman - Maya Angelou​

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me
.....​

I haven't put all of it here as it is quite long but, I remember the first time I heard this (a long time ago) and the opening lines just stayed with me. I love it

Link to the full poem on Poetry Foundation site:

Phenomenal Woman

 

[Trish]

Oh I just found it on YouTube