Just Give Me A Cool Drink Of Water 'fore I Diiie (1997) - Plot & Excerpts
Two of my fave. They speak for themselves. "When I Think About Myself""When I think about myself,I almost laugh myself to death,My life has been one great big joke,A dance that's walkedA song that's spokeI laugh so hard I almost choke,When I think about myself.Sixty years in these folks' worldThe child I works for calls me girl,I say "Yes Ma'am" for working's sakeToo proud to bend,Too poor to break,I laugh until my stomach ache,When I think about myself.My folks can make me split my side,I laughed so hard I nearly died,The tales they tell sound just like lying,They grow the fruit,But eat the rind,I laugh until I start to crying.When I think about my folks."________________________________________________No Loser, No Weeper "I hate to lose something,"then she bent her head"even a dime, I wish I was dead.I can't explain it. No more to be said.Cept I hate to lose something.""I lost a doll once and cried for a week.She could open her eyes, and do all but speak.I believe she was took, by some doll-snatching-sneakI tell you, I hate to lose something.""A watch of mine once, got up and walked alway.It had twelve numbers on it and for the time of day.I'll never forget it and all I can say Is I really hate to lose something.""Now if I felt that way bout a watch and a toy,What you think I feel bout my lover-boy?I ain't threatening you madam, but he is my evening's joy.And I mean I really hate to lose something."By Maya Angelou
There is quite the chasm between the first and second sections of this book of poetry. The first section is more innocent and passive-aggressive. Some of the poems detail some sort of escape from a threatening source, be it a man or even death. These poems also possess a lot of ideas and much less imagery than the second section which brings the book to life, in my opinion. Sketches of her life are more sharp in this section. I'd have to say my favorite poem was the first one in the second section: "When I Think about Myself". I especially love the line "they grow the fruit/but eat the rind". I like that this section of the book started off with laughter because much of her earlier life was no laughing matter. Like they always say, "If I didn't laugh, I'd cry".
What do You think about Just Give Me A Cool Drink Of Water 'fore I Diiie (1997)?
No Loser, No Weeper "I hate to lose something,"then she bent her head"even a dime, I wish I was dead.I can't explain it. No more to be said.Cept I hate to lose something.""I lost a doll once and cried for a week.She could open her eyes, and do all but speak.I believe she was took, by some doll-snatching-sneakI tell you, I hate to lose something.""A watch of mine once, got up and walked alway.It had twelve numbers on it and for the time of day.I'll never forget it and all I can say Is I really hate to lose something.""Now if I felt that way bout a watch and a toy,What you think I feel bout my lover-boy?I ain't threatening you madam, but he is my evening's joy.And I mean I really hate to lose something."By Maya Angelou
—Ayla (I'm not here)
