|
|
Published January 13, 2009 10:53 am - Poet Maya Angelou, who recited one of her works at Bill Clinton’s first inauguration, says she’ll be at home when Barack Obama takes the oath of office. But she says she won’t miss a minute of the ceremonies.
Angelou savoring Obama’s trip to White House
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Poet Maya Angelou, who recited one of her works at Bill Clinton’s first inauguration, says she’ll be at home when Barack Obama takes the oath of office. But she says she won’t miss a minute of the ceremonies.
Angelou, 80, who as a youth lived in the southwest Arkansas town of Stamps, said she’ll be at her home in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Jan. 20, watching Obama on television.
Angelou said she is eager to hear a poem by Elizabeth Alexander, whom Obama chose to be a part of his ceremony. Angelou, the first poet to read at an inauguration since Robert Frost did so for John F. Kennedy in 1961, said she didn’t expect to be called upon again.
“It gives another person a chance to stand in that light, to have that kind of exposure, and she’s a fine poet,” Angelou said. “I’m looking forward to hearing what she’s going to say. Oh, I just know it’s going to be great.”
Angelou told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette she’ll watch with a “bowl of boiling hot soup and a big bottle of good white wine.”
“I shall enjoy those and not miss one flicker of the camera. Not one flick,” she said. “I shall be somewhere between crying and praying and being grateful and laughing when I see faces I know.”
Angelou said that she was up all night on election night, taking in every moment of Obama’s victory over Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
“When the cameras go off, that’s when I’ll go off. I don’t want to miss one thing,” she said.
Arkansas poet Miller Williams read “Of Hope and History” at Clinton’s second inaugural.
Frost, at age 86, recited “The Gift Outright” when the winter glare and a cold wind blowing his pages away kept him from reading his choice. His was the first poem performed at an inaugural.
Poet James Dickey read at an inaugural gala after Jimmy Carter was sworn in. George W. Bush did not have a poet at his inaugurals.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|

: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
ORTHOPAEDIC
Specialist of the Four States is currently accepting applications for the following postiions: Physical Therapist, Occcu...>MORE
See all ads |
|
VOLKSWAGEN, 1998 BEETLE,
black, 5 speed, looks, runs and drives great, only 84,000 miles, $3400. 417-621-0850....>MORE
See all ads |
|
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
NO CREDIT NEEDED QUALIFY
for 0 down Own completely remodeled 2/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, trees, corner lot, large deck...>MORE
NO CREDIT
needed qualify for 0 down Own completely remodeled 3/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, new front deck...>MORE
1995 16x72 2 BR, 2 BA,
fully furnished, all appliances, 1 owner, beautiful, smoke free, must move. $17,500. (417)423-2385....>MORE
See all ads |
|
10 YEAR OLD BUCKSKIN
mare, 14-hands, broke for anyone, $750; miniature Jack and bred Jenny, $400 pair. (417)434-3700....>MORE
TEA CUP
Chihuahua pup, female, shots, wormed. Information (417)843-2735...>MORE
CRAFTSMAN
radial 10” arm saw; skil saw 7 1/4”; Singer Featherweight machine; clocks/pocket watches; 7.62-54 rifle, accessories; Ca...>MORE
BASS BOAT, 2005
Lowe aluminum, 17’, 2005 90 hp Mercury, 2006 trailer, excellent shape, low hours. $7,500. (417)776-8846 evenings or 417-...>MORE
1993 KUBOTA 1560
lawn tractor, 42” cut with bagger, $800. (417)364-8231....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|