Samie Belle

“But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing. The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.”
― Maya Angelou, The Complete Poetry

“To be a woman was to watch yourself not just through your own eyes, but through the eyes of others.”
― Laila Lalami, The Dream Hotel

“Like his lonely and her lonely fit perfectly into the empty spaces at the other’s side, saying nothing, asking nothing, just keeping each other company.”
― Sangu Mandanna, A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping

“After No sound falls from the moaning sky No scowl wrinkles the evening pool The stars lean down A stony brilliance While birds fly. The market leers its empty shelves Streets bare bosoms to scanty cars This bed yawns beneath the weight of our absent selves.”
― Maya Angelou, The Complete Poetry