PoemOn Aging
Author / PoetMaya Angelou
TagsFavor, Quiet, Sympathy

When you see me sitting quietly,
Like a sack left on the shelf,
Don’t think I need your chattering.
I’m listening to myself.
Hold! Stop! Don’t pity me!
Hold! Stop your sympathy!
Understanding if you got it,
Otherwise I’ll do without it!
When my bones are stiff and aching,
And my feet won’t climb the stair,
I will only ask one favor:
Don’t bring me no rocking chair.
When you see me walking, stumbling,
Don’t study and get it wrong.
‘Cause tired don’t mean lazy
And every goodbye ain’t gone.
I’m the same person I was back then,
A little less hair, a little less chin,
A lot less lungs and much less wind.
But ain’t I lucky I can still breathe in.

Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou
4 Apr 1928 - 28 May 2014
Region: North America
Period: Contemporary
Movement: Black Arts Movement
Awards: Grammy Awards, National Medal of Arts, Presidential Medal of Freedom

more poems by Maya Angelou

Poem NameTopic
The Week of DianaColor, Crown, Humor
The Rock Cries Out To Us TodayDarkness, Destiny, Floor
The TravellerHome, Night, Store
The Black Family PledgeAncestor, Children, Cry
When I Think About MyselfFolk, Joke, Lying
When Great Trees FallBloom, Die, Fall
We Had HimMoon, Style, Summer
They Went HomeHip, Home, Lip
These Yet To Be United StatesAnger, Curse, Fear
Son to MotherIgnorance, Land, Soul

all poems by Maya Angelou

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *