Life Doesn't Frighten Me

Life Doesn't Frighten Me
Published in '93 and became the title of collaborative book with Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Basquiat's pictures are dark and powerful but considered by some 'too strong' for Angelou's words. His purposely childlike style reflects the simplicity of Angelou's words and reveals the emotions and powerful imagination of a child. 

Angelou said she wrote the poem for all children who whistle in the dark and refuse to admit they're frightened out of their wits. 



The poem is simplistic and repetitive as if from a child perspective
Short, lyrical stanzas that lend themselves to performance 

Jean Michel Basquiat's illustrations 

Angelou: I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

The poem is about overcoming fear - moving past bravado and having a reason for bravery.