Expect nothing. Live frugally
On surprise.
become a stranger
To need of pity
Or, if compassion be freely
Given out
Take only enough
Stop short of urge to plead
Then purge away the need.

Wish for nothing larger
Than your own small heart
Or greater than a star;
Tame wild disappointment
With caress unmoved and cold
Make of it a parka
For your soul.

Discover the reason why
So tiny human midget
Exists at all
So scared unwise
But expect nothing. Live frugally
On surprise.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Alice Walker's poem Expect Nothing

7 Comments

  1. Bob says:

    Alice Walker = Beautiful

  2. Dorthy Cistenzda says:

    “imperfections and mistakes” is what i think the poem is tlking about in “tiny human midget”

  3. Ani says:

    the poem is so great!, it creates alot of sense and meaning and everything that is said inthe poem is so true. We must live everyday like its a surprise and always learn to appreciate evry little thing that surrounds us.

  4. candis says:

    I believe That When She Refers To The “Tiny Human Midget,” Part Walker Is Pointing Out The Imperfections In The World…Discover Why We Have These Imperfections And You’ll See Why We Must “Expect Nothing,” Because They Come Hand In Hand With Disappointment….

  5. Dayna says:

    It is a good poem, i like the meaning of it. but i was wondering what you meant by the tiny human midget part??? plz get back 2 me
    thx

  6. Jocelyn Lewis says:

    Omg I love your poems they are just so well writen i can relate to most of your poems and if you can do that to me then you are very gifted lol but really you should write so much more

  7. justin merkey says:

    i like you poemit has alot of debth to thw writing im doing a class project on you so its pretty interesting

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