(4 April 1928)

poet Maya Angelou
#3 on top 500 poets
User Rating:
6.4 / 10
( 191 votes )
What do you think this poem is about?

Insomniac

There are some nights when
sleep plays coy,
aloof and disdainful.
And all the wiles
that I employ to win
its service to my side
are useless as wounded pride,
and much more painful.

Submitted: Friday, January 03, 2003


Read poems about / on: pride, sleep

Comments about this poem (Insomniac by Maya Angelou )

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  • Patricia Grantham (6/17/2013 8:27:00 PM)

    A good nights sleep is a blessing. Many of us
    at one time or another have find it difficult
    sometimes to go to sleep. We think of any
    thing or any way to help us get a good nights
    sleep. I have a few poems related to sleep.
    Sleep, Sunrise & Sunset, & Then Comes the Night
    Short and sweet.

    0 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • Walterrean Salley (4/1/2013 2:41:00 PM)

    A tragedy, it happens to us all. Sleep is vital to survive.

    1 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
  • Holt Louque (1/27/2012 11:05:00 PM)

    I need to sleep;
    I want to sleep;
    I dread to sleep!
    HRL

    10 person liked.
    		37 person did not like.
  • Shadow Girl (5/4/2011 11:18:00 AM)

    To me, being an insomniac is the best thing for my poetry. All my flashes of insiration happen late at night! Great relatable poem. Please check out some of mine - new to this site and would love to 'Get the ball rolling' and get any feedback; positive or negative - on my writing! thanx (some poems of mine include to be free, do you...etc)

    13 person liked.
    		10 person did not like.
  • Bert Bell (10/30/2010 11:09:00 PM)

    A beautiful short and very true poem. How I relate to it. Simply splendid.10/10

    25 person liked.
    		7 person did not like.
  • Tiffany Wells (6/16/2010 2:45:00 AM)

    i can picture this poem in my mind being read over and over and over again as i lie in bed and cannot get my brain to fall asleep

    8 person liked.
    		9 person did not like.
  • Natasha Phillips (1/22/2010 3:49:00 PM)

    so says the insomniac! ! ! ! ! ! one has to first love and appreciate the fine art of poetry to fully understand Maya's work.

    4 person liked.
    		10 person did not like.
  • Torsa Ghosal (3/23/2008 11:07:00 AM)

    maya angelou's poems never fail to touch me... this 1 too is wonderful.

    7 person liked.
    		8 person did not like.
  • Melvina Germain (8/25/2006 7:59:00 AM)

    I can certainly relate to this at times. Very nice poem--Melvina

    6 person liked.
    		7 person did not like.
  • Lilah Weiss (3/28/2006 7:57:00 PM)

    this speaks to me -.- I'm an insomniac.

    8 person liked.
    		7 person did not like.
Read all 10 comments »

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