NEW CRITICISM

Touched by an Angel - Maya Angelou

(Poem)

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.

Love arrives

and in its train come ecstasies

old memories of pleasure

ancient histories of pain.

Yet if we are bold,

love strikes away the chains of fear

from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity

In the flush of love's light

we dare be brave

And suddenly we see

that love costs all we are

and will ever be.

Yet it is only love

which sets us free. 

Analysis:

The angel here represents love. This text tells us that everything can be cured by love. Any heartache, any pain, any sadness, as long as love exists can be healed. Love gives us courage, hope, happiness and joy. The poem also said that love always comes with pain, because when you show love towards other people there is always a tendency and there will come a time where you will be hurt by the same person you're showing your love with. They may or may not know that you are hurt but that's the reality of love. And when you are still brave about loving, you would always feel delighted about everything. Because love is the most important thing in the world. Without it, your existence is useless!