Tamatha+Lancaster

"Poetry is the silent voice that is heard everywhere inside of us..." -Unknown

** __Ode__ **
Not caring what she has, She will help you. Not knowing if she will have enough for herself, She will still help you. No matter what she got.

Even if it's her last She will give it to you. Why not just keep it for herself? Why give everything she have to others? Why not just put herself first and others last?

No, She was not raise that way. She will not be that way. She was taught to always put others first, Selfishness is not in her vocabulary nor her mind. To her, selfishness is like the water to the witch, The cat to the bird, The cheetah to the antelope, and The poison to the mouse. It will kill her.

So she don't behave that way. She know that people have hard times, So why turn them away if you don't know what happened to them. So what do people call her? A life saver? A hero? No, they don't see her as any of those things. They may call her an angel, But to me she's just a role model, A person I like to call Grandma.

** __Sonnet__ **
Oh, Summer is the blazzin' season here But you can still go out and have some fun People complain but I can't find myself to care Kids wetting each other with their water gun.

While trying to find a good place to hide And teenagers hanging out with their close friends At the beach dolphins playing on their side People having fun, don't want Summer to end.

Going on vacation is the best of all Seeing new sites and exploring new crazy places Out singing and dancing and having a ball Going everywhere you can seeing different faces.

Fun will then end so you can get to school Getting a lot of homework and projects, that's not cool.

** __I Was Raised By...__ **
I was raised by Neckbone eating Southern cooking Sweet potato pie making "Don't be afraid to go get something to eat" Kind of Girl.

That layback chillin' Sweet as a kitten Don't mess with nobody But "don't get on my nerves" Type of Girl.

Pants and sneaker wearing Sometimes skirts and heels Big hoops earring stylin' "Don't hate on me" Sorta Girl.

Jump rope playin' Also basketball player Can hang out with any kind of person "I'm just me" Type of Girl.

The bobbing head Hip Hop dancing I don't want no scrub TLC listening "Ooh, you too grown" Kind of Girl.

Don't talk to me That's not my name Get out of my face "Go find your hoe" Sort of Girl.

I WAS RAISED BY INDEPENDENT WOMEN.

__**Happiness**__
Happiness is something you can't buy, You have to earn it in order to get it. Happiness is something that people love, So love it to the end.

Happiness is something people hate, They hate it because they don't get it. Happiness is something people lack, They lack it because they don't receive it.

Happiness is something that should be a piece of everyone. The rich, the poor, the young, and the old. So love happiness, love it to the end.

My poems comes from the things I do and how I feel. All my poems come from the heart and my life because I like to keep things real. When I right poems I normally have one line longer in a stanza because I want them to stand out because they're important. I don't rhyme in my poems a lot unless I'm feeling silly and kid like. When I write my poems I would rather not rhyme because I like my poems to be more serious sometimes. And the figurative language that I use are sometimes from my childhood movies, things I love, or just something random. I don't have any specific order on how many lines that I have in my stanzas because it doesn't matter to me, I just write and keep writing.
 * Poet Statement:**

**__Poems by Maya Angelou__**
code Lying, thinking Last night How to find my soul a home Where water is not thirsty And bread loaf is not stone I came up with one thing And I don't believe I'm wrong That nobody, But nobody Can make it out here alone.
 * Alone ||||  ||
 * by [|Maya Angelou] ||

Alone, all alone Nobody, but nobody Can make it out here alone.

There are some millionaires With money they can't use Their wives run round like banshees Their children sing the blues They've got expensive doctors To cure their hearts of stone. But nobody No, nobody Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone Nobody, but nobody Can make it out here alone.

Now if you listen closely I'll tell you what I know Storm clouds are gathering The wind is gonna blow The race of man is suffering And I can hear the moan, 'Cause nobody, But nobody Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone Nobody, but nobody Can make it out here alone. code ||
 * Analysis Paragraph:**

In the poem 'Alone', Maya Angelou use of word repetition and tone of the poem makes the reader think that what is being said must be important and should be taken away from it. The poem seems like it is addressing the reader because it uses the word 'you'. Also it uses the word 'they' a couple of times, which could be addressing the people who think that they are above everyone and thinks that they are better. In the poem, the words "Alone, all alone; Nobody, but nobody; Can make it out here alone." are repeated through out the poem. This could be because the title of the poem is 'Alone' but it could also be because the author wanted to emphasize that in this world no one can make it out here on their own alone. Also the tone of the poem can have this effect too because the tone is kind of calm but serious. So when you read, these words kind of stand out because you would have a pause in each line. The events that are happening in it can make it seem like it can be in a form of a whisper for some parts such as the second to last stanza, the words that are being said makes it seem that way. This can affect the way the reader says the poem because when you say it, you want to read it as though you want to get someone's attention. And the way the poem sound when you read it can have the reader, read the poem in a calm matter because it is formal. The way the reader would read it, is that you would read one part than pause at the comma, which can make it sound smooth. You can get the message of the poem by the imagery that the poet uses. The poem says, " where water is not thirsty and bread loaf is not stone", by this you can imagine a place where you don't have to worry about anything and you can just relax. Also in the last stanza, it says, "Storm clouds are gathering; The wind is gonna blow; The race of man is suffering; And I can hear the moan," when you read this part you can see a man in a storm trying to get help. The man and the storm of this poem symbolizes the people and life because in life, everyone will need help one way or another.

code You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise.
 * Still I Rise ||||  ||
 * by [|Maya Angelou] ||

Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? 'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops, Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard 'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise. code ||
 * Analysis Paragraph:**

In the poem 'Still I Rise', Maya Angelou use of metaphors, tone, and the person that she is addressing, makes the reader think about history because of the way they acted backed then and how they treated African American people. The poem seems to be addressing someone who had hate, someone who is the enemy because in the poem it says, "You my write me down in history; With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the first; But still, like dust, I'll rise." This is something you would say to someone, who you don't really care for. The central topic of the poem is that no matter what this person does, the poet will still keep getting up and will keep fighting. The tone of the poem is kind of sassy and angry in some parts because of the way she says some things such as, "Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard; 'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines; Diggin' in my own backyard." This can effect the mood of the poem because when you read it, you want to read it as if you where telling someone off. There are a few imagery that are in this poem but one of them is, "Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise; That I dance like I've got diamonds; At the meeting of my thighs?" With this imagery you can imagine someone really happy and excited because they got some diamonds. Some metaphors are "You may shoot my with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, But still like air, I'll rise". This part creates some kind of tension in the poem because it sound like the poet is kind of angry.

Phenomenal Woman
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 walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The fellows stand or <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Fall down on their knees. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Then they swarm around me, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">A hive of honey bees. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">I say, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">It's the fire in my eyes, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">And the flash of my teeth, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The swing in my waist, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">And the joy in my feet. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">I'm a woman <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Phenomenally. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Phenomenal woman, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">That's me.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Men themselves have wondered <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">What they see in me. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">They try so much <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">But they can't touch <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">My inner mystery. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">When I try to show them <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">They say they still can't see. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">I say, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">It's in the arch of my back, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The sun of my smile, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The ride of my breasts, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The grace of my style. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">I'm a woman

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Phenomenally. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Phenomenal woman, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">That's me.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Now you understand <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Just why my head's not bowed. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">I don't shout or jump about <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Or have to talk real loud. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">When you see me passing <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">It ought to make you proud. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">I say, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">It's in the click of my heels, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The bend of my hair, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">the palm of my hand, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The need of my care, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">'Cause I'm a woman <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Phenomenally. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Phenomenal woman, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">That's me.


 * Analysis Paragraph:**

In the poem 'Phenomenal Woman', Maya Angelou use of tone and the person that she is addressing makes the reader think that she really love her body and that she will let anyone know it. The poem sounds like it is addressing the women who try to find out why she is so pretty because in the first part of the poem it directly says,"Pretty women wonder where my secret lies." The central theme of this poem is that the reason that she is beautiful is because that's how she was made and that's how she is.The tone of the poem sounds like the poet is proud by the way she looks because in the poem it says, "I say, It's fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet." The way a woman would say this is in a proud way because they are talking about how they look good. The poem says,"Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees." This image is an example of a metaphor because the men is referred to as bees in a hive, so this must means that they were all running trying to get to her.