We, unaccustomed to courageexiles from delightlive coiled in shells of lonelinessuntil love leaves its high holy templeand comes into our sightto liberate us into life.Love arrivesand in its train come ecstasiesold memories of pleasureancient histories of pain.Yet if we are bold,love strikes away the chains of fearfrom our souls.We are weaned from our timidityIn the flush of love's lightwe dare be braveAnd suddenly we seethat love costs all we areand will ever be
In this excerpt, Maya Angelou describes how people often retreat into loneliness, avoiding true feelings and courage. She highlights that love is a powerful force that can free us from this solitude and bring us into a more vibrant, alive existence. Love's arrival is intense, accompanied by joy, nostalgia, and even pain rooted in past experiences.
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.
Angelou emphasizes that love can break down fears and timidity, transforming us as we become brave enough to embrace it. However, she also reminds us that love demands everything we are, implying it is both a gift and a sacrifice.
