Can someone please tell me who she is refering to as "you" in this poem? Also, what the poem means, beyond the literal level. Thank you :)
Alone
Lying, thinking
Last night
How to find my soul a home
Where water is not thirsty
And bread loaf is not stone
I came up with one thing
And I don't believe I'm wrong
That nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
There are some millionaires
With money they can't use
Their wives run round like banshees
Their children sing the blues
They've got expensive doctors
To cure their hearts of stone.
But nobody
No, nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Now if you listen closely
I'll tell you what I know
Storm clouds are gathering
The wind is gonna blow
The race of man is suffering
And I can hear the moan,
'Cause nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
"I" is obviously the poet, the speaker, the narrator, in a way.
"you" must then be the reader.
You can read other readers' comments here:
http://www.americanpoems.com/poets/Maya_Angelou/17346
In this poem, the speaker is referring to anyone who is listening or reading the poem as "you." The poem addresses the universal human experience of loneliness and the necessity of connection with others.
On a literal level, the poem starts with the speaker reflecting on their own thoughts about how to find a place where their soul feels at home, where there is no thirst for water and no hardness in life. They come to the realization that nobody can survive or thrive alone.
Beyond the literal level, the poem explores the idea of human interdependence and the importance of connection. The speaker highlights the emptiness that can exist even for those who are wealthy and have material comforts, emphasizing that money and possessions cannot fill the void of loneliness.
Towards the end, the poem takes on a more global perspective. The speaker mentions storm clouds gathering and the suffering of the human race. This suggests that on a larger scale, society as a whole is also affected by the same need for connection and support.
Overall, the poem emphasizes the fundamental human need for companionship and the understanding that nobody can truly face life's challenges alone. It serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and the support of others in navigating through life's hardships.