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MERGE LITERARY MAGAZINE
Harvesting Maya Angelou (1928-2014): Another Kwansaba: April 4, 2018

By Eugene B. Redmond

 
Earth’s Poet Laureate & Cuisine Queen bred

Books, served verse-spiced meals, planted familia,

Became Sainted Patron of sacred blues. Now,

In her 90th season of harvest, Maya

Bonds, bejazzles with Ecumenical Acumen. Her 1970

Riff—“Eugene, be my brother forever!”—resets

Itself from Sacramento to East Saint Love.


           

My youngest daughter Treasure Shields Redmond & I “souljourned” to the posthumous Birthday Celebration for Maya Angelou (1928-2014) at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. The evening before & day/night of the soiree (April 4) were sites to “be whole” in Maya’s “90th Season of Harvest.” Spoken Word (Donovan Livingston), music (Valerie Simpson/Alyson Williams), reflections (Dr. Maxine Mimms), jazz, strolling supper, gifts for “family” (ala Oprah). Harvest! For decades Maya served as a trustee of the EBR Writers Club & Senior Editor of Drumvoices Revue.
 


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