Maya Angelou

World renowned American poet and author Marguerite Ann Johnson, popularly known by her penname Maya Angelou died on Wednesday morning at the age of 86.

The world did not slip into mourning. Grief yes, but with it came a stronger sense of idolisation and appreciation for her work. This is not uncommon for celebrities. Often, a sudden death comes with shock and increased appreciation for their work rather than tears, but Maya Angelou was not so much a celebrity as she was celebrated. Her words inspired many and so they cried, her work was so profound that her death somehow meant a death to her truest fans, the ones who read her as gospel.

For many of us here in Guyana, Maya Angelou was just a name and one that so