We, unaccustomed to courage
Maya Angelou's poem explores the transformative power of love. It begins by describing how people, unfamiliar with courage and alienated from joy, live in isolation until love intervenes. Love is depicted as a liberating force that frees individuals from the constraints of fear and loneliness. The poem acknowledges that while love brings joy and recalls past pleasures, it also reminds us of past pains. However, by embracing love courageously, individuals can break free from fear. The poem concludes with the realization that love requires a complete commitment of oneself, yet it is the only force that truly liberates and empowers us.
| Word | In English | Plain (English) | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| unaccustomed | not used to | not familiar with | uhn-uh-kuhs-tuhmd |
| exiles | outcasts | people who are separated from their home or happiness | eg-zahyls |
| coiled | wrapped | twisted or wound around | koyld |
| temple | sacred place | a holy place or sanctuary | tem-puhl |
| liberate | free | to make free | lib-uh-reyt |
| ecstasies | joys | great joys | ek-stuh-seez |
| timidity | shyness | lack of courage or confidence | ti-mid-i-tee |
| flush | glow | a sudden rush of emotion or color | fluhsh |
| dare | risk | to be brave enough to do something | dair |
| brave | courageous | having courage | brayv |
| chains | bonds | things that hold you back | cheynz |
| weaned | freed | slowly separated from something | weend |
| costs | requires | needs or takes | kawsts |
| sets | makes | allows to be | sets |
| free | unrestricted | able to do anything | free |
Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies and several books of poetry. Angelou was known for her work in the Civil Rights Movement and her autobiographical writing, which brought her international recognition.
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