The
'Accessible' Truth of
Maya Angelou's Poetry
Many contemporary poets will tell you how much they dislike the term "accessible poetry." It implies that all other
Poetry is
inaccessible — that reading and writing poems is largely an exclusive, erudite or even obsolete practice, and most of the time the average reader won't "get it."
A term like "accessible poetry" at once encourages and dismisses literary talent. But the concept of making
Poetry accessible as a whole, especially in early education, is incredibly important.
Intrepid author, poet and activist
Maya Angelou died at age 86 on Wednesday. Her 13 collections of
Poetry have long been described as "accessible," "hospitable" or "approachable." But whatever these adjectives may intimate about overall public interest in poetry,
Angelou's work gave — and continues to give — young readers and
Poetry beginners a way in
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