Twenty five poems by Maya Angelou are paired with paintings by Jerome Lagarrigue which echo their diverse moods and subjects. Many of the poems pay tribute to the resilience of her fellow African-Americans, to the spirit of her ancestors, to the memories evoked by specific places. Others recreate the voices and thoughts of children, or everyday emotions of sadness and joy. The poems are prefaced by brief introductions and suggestions on their appreciation; unusual words are explained in footnotes.