We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love’s light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.
this poem means a lot to me. it shows that anyone can be loved if they believe in love. everybody is loved by someone wether it be a family member or a friend. but, in order to be loved you have to love someone yourself.
this poem was really sweet. I loved it.
hello we loved your poem.
I liked your poem very much I just had to comment you on it.I read 6 of your poems today and I liked all of them but these one really caught my attention, and I had to sendd a comment
to julia gemine:
here is the poem in case you still can not find it on your computer.
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love’s light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.
Romance an art long passed by shows a path like a butterfly that flieth this way and that. Poetry unleashed in the quiet calm rests upon a man considering voids to make sense out of non-sense to halt a madness declared with eight minutes. Time, tide and spirit halt not but in comfort he hears a voice that says quietly;
As sleep comes I speak and say’ I love you’ and a reply comes back’ I love you too’.
“Somewhere there’s someone who dreams of your smile, and finds in your presence that life is worthwhile. So, when you are lonely remember its true: somebody, somewhere is thinking of you. ”
Get into your bed and get comfy. Slowly yet softly close your eyes and I will be waiting to see you in your dreams!
I rule in my dreams,
Azriel
I’d really like to read some more of Maya’s poetry, does anyone know what book this is published in? I’ve tried looking online, but I can’t seem to locate it, and help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I really don’t like the poem it self. I like the metaphores and stuff she used in it though. You can tell she’s very educated and been through a lot by reading her poems. Personally, don’t care much for this poem! 🙂
-cindyxxx
Hi, I like poem lot! Make me feel godd! Thank you Maya Angelou for writting it.
This poem means much to me and my country! We are not treated right, because of our leaders! This poem says about love and that everyone should be loved! I wish that this loving toke place inside and around my country! This poem makes me happy and reminds me that I should love everyone!
I loved this poem, I used it for a memorization poem in school, everyone loves it! The poems means so much! Everyone goes through changes in their life; but if they believe, love will appear in so many different ways.
How do we read the poem ? I am a poorly educated women who has worked hard to self – educate myself – I WANT to read, your website does not make it easy to access the poem, just the comments, this makes it twice as frustrating as I know that I am easily able to conect with the sentiments expressed, BUT, can not read the words that helped people communicate their feelings, do not understand how to access the words that moved people to identify and relate to the poet who so well identified emotions, feelings and allowed people to touch a piece of their humanity and compassion – I am just a sad person, I.T illiterate,maybe I am just sad, but I have an interest in the future of humanity, a real experience of life, I find it hard to express myself, that is not true, however,I was frustrated when searching your web site, I wanted to read the poem – did not easily understand how to do this, pleases make it a simple process, allow people like me to sample a little piece of education, diversity and knowledge, wishing you a very peacful and happy Christmas – Julia
I liked this poem so much, I decided to do a project on it. I need some help though. What are some poetic techniques and literary devices Ms. Angelou uses in the poem and and the effects of those devices? Is there any background information of the poem, such as why the author chose to write it or her experiences that relate to the poem? I would really appreciate it if anybody knows some extra information, thanks a lot!
The poem touches my haret
no matter how many times i have read it i enjoy it
and when ever i read it again i read it with pride
and i always think its new no matter what
Great poem!! Very awesome… My country small..
I enjoyed this poem greatly! It expressed what alot of people go through. Maya Angelou has truly touched my heart!
I enjoyed your poem very much and wanted to comment on the love from the high holy temple. These are things I believe to be true.
God has put in every human being the desire to love and be loved. The desire to live forever and He has also given us hope in those desires. Hope is an expectation of the fullfillment of His promises.
Everything we experience in this life is a necessary part of our relationship to our Father (Heavenly). He promised to reconcile all things unto Himself (Colossians 1:16-20 ),and to wipe all our tears away (Revelation 7:17& Rev.21:4).
Christ willingly took on the form of man ,to taste physical suffering and death for every man (Hebrews 2:9) so that he would experience Himself what He had ordained for others. It also “became God, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Hebrews 2:10). And we have a Savior who is not without sympathy (Hebrews 2:17&18),(Revelation 4:15&16). Love always seeks the well-being and happiness of others.
It cost Christ His life, all we can do is appreciate and be thankful that we’re loved just the way we are (love begets love) He always loved us first. We didn’t ask to be born, We didn’t ask for our parents, our personalities, the eyes we see with, the air we breath, etc. They are all gifts from our Father, He also promised to love and bless us now and Forever.
We can be brave and boldly go into the presence of our Father, it is His good pleasure to take care of the needs of His children.
the poem speaks of the universal truth that is love…… the wisdon of the heart that never fails …. the triumph of imagination over intellect……. love… love n love……. that’s all we need………
This poem is just so touching and very true. Everyone goes through the feeling of being lonely or letting love or something important pass them by, because they’re too afraid to grasp it. But with faith and and hope things will go right for us.
This poem is so very true. I understand it all. Some day, sometime, everyone will feel this way.