Go Well, Maya

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Death, Maya Angelou

I just read of the demise of Maya Angelou, the American poet and author, at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina today. In her life time, she published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning more than fifty years. She received dozens of awards and over thirty honorary doctoral degrees. Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of seventeen, and brought her international recognition and acclaim.

My brother, Ricky wrote this beautiful tribute in her honour on his Facebook page and with his kind permission, I have posted it here. We in Ghana are proud and honoured that she spent some of her years living with us.  Nanti Yie!  Ewurade Nfa Wo Nsie! Damirifa Due!

“While the rest of the world has been improving technology, Ghana has been improving the quality of man’s humanity to man.” Maya Angelou

Go Well, Maya

There comes, once in a while, a moment to stare death. In disdain.
When death serves our purpose, giving us rest.
When death becomes only a rite of passage.
When death affords opportunity for mortals to pay tribute to the not-so-mortal.
When death occasions celebration.
Celebration of odds defied
Celebration of years lived
Celebration of causes fought for.
Celebration of barriers broken
of songs composed
of poems written and recited
of ceremonies graced
of testimonies rendered
of tears shed
of joyous moments
of history witnessed
of greats met
of epochs survived
of time………….
Rest In Peace Mama Maya Angelou.
Your song rings from roofs across the world
The lilt of your voice awakens verve
Adieu Mama Maya Angelou.
From as far away as Sirigu in Ghana, I say well done, feeble as my voice may be. GO WELL

Copyright © Kasise Ricky Peprah

(28/05/14)

Of A Death And Acquisitions

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Acquisitions, Azar Nafisi, Death, Khaled Hosseini, Maya Angelou, The Book Trust, Used Books, Virginia Woolf

My dear friends and fellow bloggers, it’s not been easy for us in Ghana these past few days since the unexpected demise of our President, Prof. John Evans Ata Mills; at least for those who saw in him the embodiment of all that is pure, true, noble, humble and selfless. We are still in shock and until his funeral is held from 8th to 10th August 2012 and finally when he is laid to rest on 10th August 2012, everything I do would have a surreal quality to it.

I find it difficult reading the books I have lined up knowing very well that doing just that would be therapeutic for me. I try to blog by catching up on my mails and though that has yielded some results, I am not able to derive pleasure from it like I used to. However, I know deep down in my heart, that I will get over this apathy or lethargy or whatever it is I’m going through now. What I am certain about is that I am in mourning even as the whole nation observe the customary one-week celebration of the death of our illustrious President, today, Tuesday 30th July 2012.

In a completely un-related development, I recently acquired the following books from The Book Trust, in Accra. (a popular and fine outlet for used books from overseas) The prices are very affordable and I’m so pleased with myself. I only pray that I would be able to read and blog on them soon.

• Reading Lolita in Tehran, A Memoir In Books by Azar Nafisi
• Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. ( I had read so much being blogged about this  that I just had to buy it when I saw it. I may have to add it to two of the Challenges I’m on; The Classics Club and Back To The Classics Challenge)
• I know Why The Caged Birds Sing by Maya Angelou
• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

I must say that The Book Trust has loads and stacks of books, children’s, YA, text, language, adult and you name it, in quite a number of genres that you can think of. The books are so stacked together that it is quite an arduous task going through to find one’s choice. Funny enough, The Book Trust is just a stone’s throw from where I work and yet I hardly go there because I would not have the time to comb through the piles. Also, most of the time, I forget that The Book Trust is right under my nose. (can you believe that?) To think that a few months back I was raiding bookshops to get my oldest boy some good YA reads when all the time The Book Trust sat patiently nearby waiting for my visit. My virtual arsenal of knowledge, here I come mind you, on a monthly basis. Shalom