We, unaccustomed to courage
Maya Angelou's poem 'Touched by an Angel' explores the profound impact of love on the human spirit. The poem begins by describing a state of existence characterized by fear and loneliness, where individuals are 'unaccustomed to courage' and 'exiles from delight.' Love is depicted as a divine force that descends from its 'high holy temple' to liberate individuals from their emotional constraints. As love arrives, it brings with it both joy and the resurfacing of past pleasures and pains. The poem emphasizes the courage required to embrace love, as it has the power to remove the 'chains of fear' from the soul. Angelou suggests that love demands a complete surrender of self, yet it is this very surrender that leads to true freedom. The poem's free verse form allows for an expressive exploration of these themes, using vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the transformative power of love.
| Word | In English | Plain (English) | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| unaccustomed | not used to | not familiar with | un-uh-kus-tuhmd |
| exiles | outcasts | people who are banished or separated | eg-zahylz |
| coiled | wrapped | twisted or wound into a circular shape | koyld |
| ecstasies | joys | intense happiness | ek-stuh-seez |
| timidity | shyness | lack of courage or confidence | ti-mid-i-tee |
| flush | glow | a sudden rush of emotion or color | fluhsh |
| liberate | free | to make free | lib-uh-reyt |
| temple | sacred place | a place of worship | tem-puhl |
| bold | courageous | brave and confident | bohld |
| weaned | freed | gradually detached from | weend |
Maya Angelou was an American memoirist, essayist, poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry. Angelou was a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
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