Amiri Baraka, Maya Angelou, and Toni Morrison at James Baldwin’s funeral, December 1987 In 1987 Maya Angelou wrote this poem upon hearing of James Baldwin's passing and read it at his funeral. "When Great Trees Fall" by Maya Angelou When great trees fall,rocks on distant hills shudder,lions hunker downin tall grasses,and even elephantslumber after safety.When great trees fallin forests,small things recoil into silence,their senseseroded beyond fear.When great souls die,the air around us becomeslight, rare, sterile.We breathe, briefly.Our eyes, briefly,see witha hurtful clarity.Our memory, suddenly sharpened,examines,gnaws on kind wordsunsaid,promised walksnever taken.Great souls die andour reality, bound tothem, takes leave of...
