Maya Angelou

"I've still not written as well as I'd like to write.I want to write so that the reader in Des Moines, Iowa and Chaohu, China and Cape Town, South Africa, and Harlem and Boston...I want to write so that, that reader can say, you know, that's the truth.’” - Maya Angelou 

True heroes keep searching for truth, no matter how renown, famous or secure they are in their artistry. There's always more. And it's this constant searching that makes you an artist. It's this thirst for authenticity that makes you someone to revere. Doctor Maya Angelou was one of my greatest heroes. Her simple phrase "Nothing Human is Alien To Me," inspired me to write the lyrics to the first song I ever dared to create by myself. Her artistry induced the creativity of millions. She was a teacher to the world and she will be greatly missed. Without ever knowing her, she touched my life beyond any description words can provide. Rest in peace, sweet angel, the world will miss your light.

To Grow Up

To Grow Up

No one taught me how to grow up

Ripped from the sun kissed days of youth

Into the bleak, wintery abyss of maturity

No one prepared me for this.

I know everyone goes through it,

I understand it's part of life,

That in order to be accepted we must "grow",

But I don't understand why.

Why should we have to give up

 The only things that make life beautiful

In order to survive in this world?

As children we understand what's important:

The connections between each other

Singing songs and holding hands

That play and make believe are sacred...

Why must these life-giving entities disappear

Or be looked at as Naive as we grow?

It seems to me that adulthood is code

For throwing your soul to the stones.

Couldn't we compromise?

I believe we can fulfill our childhood desires

While coming at them from a deeper

And more mature perspective.

Until we come to a place where "childishness:"

Is accepted in the adult heart

I will never feel welcome 

In a world that shuts such wonder out.