Maya Angelou

(4 April 1928 - 28 May 2014)

poet Maya Angelou
#1 on top 500 poets

The Detached - Poem by Maya Angelou

We die,
Welcoming Bluebeards to our darkening closets,
Stranglers to our outstretched necks,
Stranglers, who neither care nor
care to know that
DEATH IS INTERNAL.

We pray,
Savoring sweet the teethed lies,
Bellying the grounds before alien gods,
Gods, who neither know nor
wish to know that
HELL IS INTERNAL.

We love,
Rubbing the nakednesses with gloved hands,
Inverting our mouths in tongued kisses,
Kisses that neither touch nor
care to touch if
LOVE IS INTERNAL.


Comments about The Detached by Maya Angelou

  • (8/27/2016 12:57:00 AM)


    A masterpiece of a poem... the imagery is compelling.. It takes you into a Journey of self reflection... good work.. keep it up. (Report) Reply

    2 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
  • (7/23/2016 11:25:00 AM)


    Great poem, exposing some bitter truths in the realm of humanity. (Report) Reply

    2 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
  • (3/4/2016 8:08:00 AM)


    Like it or not! Wow. This is just wonderful. We should have more poems like this or better! (Report) Reply

    6 person liked.
    		3 person did not like.
  • Tameeka Smith (2/20/2016 10:32:00 AM)


    Everything that Maya Angelou wrote is so very beautiful! She's my inspiration. (Report) Reply

    3 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
  • Rahman Henry (11/4/2015 1:43:00 AM)


    Exceptionally wonderful poetic piece of work. I love it. (Report) Reply

    10 person liked.
    		6 person did not like.
  • Douglas Stewart (10/29/2015 10:33:00 AM)


    Maya Angelou never disappoints. Lovely and poignant. (Report) Reply

    10 person liked.
    		6 person did not like.
  • (10/19/2015 12:49:00 PM)


    Awesome poem, beautiful words mellowed in with melody, yet the determination and character are oozing every bit. Kudos. (Report) Reply

    8 person liked.
    		5 person did not like.
  • (8/30/2015 3:57:00 PM)


    ...
    .incredible and amazing with superb imagery ★     (Report) Reply

    6 person liked.
    		5 person did not like.
  • (7/19/2015 2:35:00 PM)


    Such great imagery and metaphors. Beautiful. (Report) Reply

    6 person liked.
    		4 person did not like.
  • Dr.subhendu Kar (5/30/2014 8:37:00 AM)


    it is really a most mind blowing poem so far the style of diction and portrayal of ever internal feelings are concerned all when represented by skilled metaphors and imagery...... (Report) Reply

    17 person liked.
    		9 person did not like.
  • Dr.subhendu Kar (5/30/2014 8:36:00 AM)


    it is really a most mind blowing poem so far the style of diction and portrayal of ever internal feelings are concerned all when represented by skilled metaphors and imagery...... (Report) Reply

    13 person liked.
    		7 person did not like.
  • Dr.subhendu Kar (5/30/2014 8:35:00 AM)


    it is really a most mind blowing poem so far the style of diction and portrayal of ever internal feelings are concerned all when represented by skilled metaphors and imagery...... (Report) Reply

    14 person liked.
    		5 person did not like.
  • Dr.subhendu Kar (5/30/2014 8:33:00 AM)


    it is really a most mind blowing poem so far the style of diction and portrayal of ever internal feelings are concerned all when represented by skilled metaphors and imagery...... (Report) Reply

    10 person liked.
    		6 person did not like.
  • (5/6/2014 6:11:00 AM)


    This poem speaks to the tidings of the inner mind. (Report) Reply

    12 person liked.
    		7 person did not like.
  • Brian Jani (4/26/2014 5:16:00 PM)


    Awesome I like this poem, check mine out  (Report) Reply

    9 person liked.
    		7 person did not like.
  • (3/1/2012 7:24:00 AM)


    okay, i'm feeling this [3 its great. (Report) Reply

    22 person liked.
    		9 person did not like.
  • (2/27/2012 8:06:00 PM)


    I find this poem very interesting because it offers a portrait of the makeup of the Author's soul. She may be trying to say that she is a tortured being. I really think that the metaphor and adjective rich dialogue improves the audience's understanding of the poem immeasurably. It also enables the message of her poem to get across more easily. What is that message, you ask? Well, I believe that she is trying to represent the pain of a recent tragedy, and it is most likely the death of a loved one, this is most apparent when you are reading the last stanza of the piece. When she ends the poem with the capitalized sentences, she is doing a fantastic job of emphasizing the message she wants to get across, and provides an interesting contrast that is necessary for the poem to be interesting. (Report) Reply

    23 person liked.
    		19 person did not like.
  • (12/26/2011 11:29:00 AM)


    It's an okay poem. But #3? (Report) Reply

    12 person liked.
    		33 person did not like.
  • (2/5/2010 3:00:00 AM)


    they are all internal i guess? i think there isn't a definition but an experience and that; s how it shapes our thinking resulting in mixed /sweet/ sour feelings, then again it's internal. (Report) Reply

    19 person liked.
    		9 person did not like.
  • (6/21/2009 7:54:00 AM)


    I love this meditation of concept of detachment of death and life and the hell of dying and not knowing. She is so true of prayer in God what did it do for my final day may I reach behond to find my resting place from Idols here on earth. (Report) Reply

    17 person liked.
    		7 person did not like.
Read all 25 comments »

User Rating:
3,3 / 5 ( 130 votes ) 25



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1. বিচ্ছিন্নতা ।। মায়া এঞ্জেলো (Bengali Verson) Translated 11/4/2015

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Poem Submitted: Saturday, June 18, 2005

Poem Edited: Tuesday, April 26, 2011
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