(4 April 1928)

poet Maya Angelou
#2 on top 500 poets
User Rating:
7.2 / 10
( 147 votes )
What do you think this poem is about?

Refusal

Beloved,
In what other lives or lands
Have I known your lips
Your Hands
Your Laughter brave
Irreverent.
Those sweet excesses that
I do adore.
What surety is there
That we will meet again,
On other worlds some
Future time undated.
I defy my body's haste.
Without the promise
Of one more sweet encounter
I will not deign to die.

Submitted: Friday, January 03, 2003


Read poems about / on: laughter, future, time

Comments about this poem (Refusal by Maya Angelou )

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  • Gabriela Markova (4/5/2012 8:19:00 AM)

    i can so rely. one of my favourite!

    7 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
  • Marialenn Langendoen (8/14/2011 8:28:00 AM)

    One of my favourites, awesome, phenomenal and dignified

    6 person liked.
    		5 person did not like.
  • Ramesh Adwant (5/24/2010 8:41:00 AM)

    The passion of love is such. But finding the right expression to convey feelings is a skill indeed and I could feel how it feels when one is deeply in love. I really liked the poem

    7 person liked.
    		4 person did not like.
  • Mark Anthony St. Rose (1/14/2010 7:26:00 PM)

    interesting poem. a bit simple though

    3 person liked.
    		8 person did not like.
  • Paul Julian (12/30/2009 9:47:00 PM)

    THE TIRE YARD
    search it you wont regret it

    4 person liked.
    		6 person did not like.
  • Lesley Merrin (8/4/2009 9:01:00 AM)

    There are no rules for poetry surely William. That is why it is poetry.

    6 person liked.
    		7 person did not like.
  • William Rodenberg (6/20/2009 3:33:00 PM)

    My complaint simply is this. The works of Maya Angelou fail to enteract with the realm of symbolism. Symbolism is the poet's safe haven, a cavern in which they dwell to reflect upon the hours. It is how they express themselves to accuratley relate to others experiences and thoughts. Without the use of symbolism the poem has only a foundation but no would and nails.

    2 person liked.
    		19 person did not like.
  • Lungelwa Mnyamana (10/24/2007 7:39:00 AM)

    This poem is too beautiful and a bit sad... anyone who has been in a 'what could have been' love situation will definately relate and take comort. A lot of people do come across what could be their greates love but distance or circumstances prevails... and all that you are left with is the good memories of that great moment. Beautiful!

    5 person liked.
    		5 person did not like.
  • Not a member No 4 (10/27/2006 3:48:00 PM)

    In my view this has much more power than Phenomenal Woman. So succinct and so poignant in its depiction of the power and essence of the boundless emotion of love. It strikes right to the heart of the matter in a handful of words.

    5 person liked.
    		3 person did not like.
Read all 9 comments »

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