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.
Maya Angelou‘s “Alone” is a lyric poem, an emotional reflection on loneliness.
By placing emphasis on being alone, it exalts togetherness: no matter who we are, where we come from, or how much money we have, we all need other human beings to survive.
It starts as a lyrical “thinking out loud”, where the speaker wonders how to “find her soul a home.” This implies that her soul needs a spiritual place and some spiritual nourishment, and this takes on religious tones with the mention of water and bread loaves.
These may be Biblical allusions because, in The Gospel of John, Christ says to a woman at a well that whoever drinks the water he provides will never be thirsty again.
And again, in Matthew, there are the words: “And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
The refrain focuses on her ‘epiphany’: no one can survive in this world without support or community.
The poem’s roots in the Bible are also seen in the third stanza where the speaker introduces the idea that wealth alone cannot bring spiritual wellbeing and happiness.
Here she paints the sad portrait of some millionaires who, despite their riches, fail to find joy and peace and are lonely, even if they have wives and children. Their wives seem frantic and anxious, and run around wailing and screaming “like banshees”. The word banshee comes from Irish mythology and refers to a female spirit entity who warns other family members of impending doom and death.
Also, their children are struggling in their own way: they “sing the blues,” which may suggest either they are passing the time without any sense of responsibility, or they are as depressed as their parents, expressing their sadness as depicted in blues music.
The expensive doctors called in to help, no matter how skilled they are, cannot cure the wealthy of their loneliness, because their hearts are “made of stone,” and they are unable to truly feel anything.
In the fifth stanza, the poem turns from reflection to conversation where the listener (“you”) is entrusted with valuable insights.
The speaker seems to be calling for togetherness and solidarity in the human race, at a time when something terrible is about to happen or is already happening.
There’s a sort of apocalyptic feeling in the lines describing mankind’s desperate moaning.
Once again, the speaker insists that humanity must work together to overcome tensions and conflicts, and live in harmony.
SOLO
A letto, la notte scorsa
pensando a come trovare
una casa per la mia anima
dove l’acqua non sia assetata
e il pane non sia pietra
l’idea che mi è balenata
e credo di non sbagliarmi
è che nessuno,
proprio nessuno
può farcela qui da solo.
Solo, tutto solo
nessuno, proprio nessuno
può farcela qui da solo.
Ci sono milionari
con denaro da sperperare
Le loro mogli si agitano come ossesse
e i figli cantano il blues
e consultano medici costosi
perché i loro cuori di pietra vorrebbero curare-
Ma nessuno
no, nessuno
può farcela qui da solo.
Solo, tutto solo
nessuno, proprio nessuno
può farcela qui da solo.
Ora, se ascolti attentamente
ti dico quel che sento
Si addensano nubi tempestose
si leverà il vento
soffre la razza umana
e io ne odo il lamento,
perché nessuno,
proprio nessuno
può farcela qui da solo.
Solo, tutto solo
nessuno, proprio nessuno
può farcela qui da solo.
(trad: L.Z.)
“Alone” di Maya Angelou è una riflessione poetica sulla solitudine in cui l’accento posto sull’essere soli, esalta la necessità di stare insieme, perché tutti abbiamo bisogno di altri esseri umani per sopravvivere.
La poesia inizia come un “pensare ad alta voce” lirico, in cui la poetessa si chiede come “trovare una casa per la sua anima”. Ciò significa che la sua anima ha bisogno di un luogo e di un nutrimento spirituale, che fa assumere ai versi toni religiosi con la menzione dell’acqua e dei pani.
Queste possono essere allusioni bibliche perché, nel Vangelo di Giovanni, Cristo dice alla donna al pozzo che chi beve l’acqua da lui fornita non avrà mai più sete.
E ancora, in Matteo, ci sono le parole: “E venne il tentatore e gli disse: “Se tu sei Figlio di Dio, comanda a queste pietre di diventare pani”.
Il ritornello si concentra sulla sua ‘epifania’: nessuno può sopravvivere in questo mondo senza supporto o comunità.
Le radici nella Bibbia si vedono anche nella terza strofa in cui viene introdotta l’idea che la ricchezza da sola non può portare benessere spirituale e felicità.
Qui è presentato il triste ritratto di alcuni milionari che, nonostante le loro ricchezze, non riescono a trovare gioia e pace e sono soli, anche se hanno moglie e figli. Le loro mogli, frenetiche e ansiose, e corrono in giro urlando “come ossesse“. Angelou usa il termine banshee, che deriva dalla mitologia irlandese e si riferisce a un’entità spirituale femminile che avverte gli altri membri della famiglia dell’imminente destino e morte.
Inoltre, anche i loro figli stanno lottando a modo loro: “cantano il blues”, il che può suggerire che trascorrono il tempo senza alcun senso di responsabilità, o sono depressi come i loro genitori, esprimendo la loro tristezza come capita nella musica blues.
I costosi medici consultati, per quanto abili, non sono in grado di curare i ricchi dalla loro solitudine, perché i loro cuori sono “fatti di pietra” e non riescono a provare nulla.
Nella quinta strofa, la poesia si trasforma da riflessione al conversazione in cui all’ascoltatore (“tu”) sono affidati pensieri preziosi.
La poetessa sembra chiedere unità e solidarietà al genere umano, in un momento in cui qualcosa di terribile sta per accadere o sta già accadendo.
C’è una sorta di sentimento apocalittico nei versi che descrivono il lamento disperato dell’umanità.
Ancora una volta, Maya Angelou insiste sul fatto che l’umanità deve collaborare per superare tensioni e conflitti, e vivere in armonia
Image: Edward Hopper – 1927 – Automat
“Nobody but nobody” always gets me. Great share, thank you
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Thank you! So happy to know the impact💜
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There are some very deep emotions going on here.
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Undoubtedly, Malc
I’m glad to know that you liked this poem as much as I did 🙏💜🙏
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Love Maya Angelou’s poetry.
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I’m really glad that you liked it.
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Thank you, but I must tell you I can’t open the video
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Now I can see it!
Thank you very much 🙏❤🙏
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Reblogged this on attis.
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My skin is ebony
my heart is purple
God is in my soul
am I?
in the palm of God
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❤❤❤❤❤
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Thanks for the reblog.
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Wonderful blog! Thank you so much! I enjoyed it greatly! May I copy it and save it as a document to go back to. Best wishes! Pejj
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Thank you so much
I’m really glad that you liked it.
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Veramente bella, e grazie alle tue spiegazioni, ho compreso a fondo il senso di questi versi! Grazie preziosa Luisa!!! ❤ 🙂
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Vitty, grazie a te per l’apprezzamento. A volte temo di diventare pedante, ma questo è ciò che facevo quando insegnavo, e che mi piaceva davvero fare🙏🙏🙏
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Non sei affatto pedante! Anzi, ti si legge benissimo e dispiace quando si arriva alla fine! Fortunati i ragazzi che ti hanno avuta come insegnante!!! 🙂
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Grazie!!!
Ti auguro una serena serata 😘
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Anche a te, grazie!!! 🙂
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Molto bella, grazie per la condivisione, buon pomeriggio!
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Grazie a te, Silvia!
Buona serata
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A masterful job of explaining the poem, Luisa. When I read it, I did not understand until I saw your explanation.
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Very kind of you, Pat
Thank you for appreciating and sharing your encouraging words ❤🙏❤
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Reblogged this on e-Quips and commented:
Luisa’s explanation allowed me to understand Maya Angelous’s wonderful poem, “Alone.”
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Thank you for appreciating and reblogging ❤🙏❤
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Prego.
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🙏😘🙏😘🙏
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Just wonderful! I am hooked! Thank you so much for the videos of Maya. Just the ticket!
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I’m pleased that you enjoyed this post and I thank you for your lovely words!
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Thank you! I moved into the business plan to marry my writing and art. I am at a point now with Shibui where I can write the instruction manual. This will give those choosing to use Shibui foundations as an art therapy, or as an original art form the information needed to do so.
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Your words offer something that deserves consideration
Thank you 😘🙏😘
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Thank you! That is the intent. I love to write, and may it be written well. I have joined the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance here in Portland. they should help me move forward with my writing projects. I was thinking of going for a MFA at Stone Coast but they seem to think what would better suit me is Maine Writers___ I have an event for a writing lecture the 23rd, excited to meet the writer giving the lecture. They do zoom.
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Really interesting
I wish you all the best🙏🙏🙏
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Beautiful and insightful… 🌹🌹🌹😊😊😊
“Rich or Poor,
Idler or doer
Crippled or healthy,
Pretty or ugly,
Godly or irreverent,
Noble or peasant,
Corrupt or honest,
Pompous or modest
Need,
bread when hungry,
water when thirsty,
air to survive,
and
Love/friendship to thrive.”
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Such wonderful words!
Thank you Joe!!
I really appreciate them!!
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😊🙏
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Beautiful poem!👍 thanks for sharing 🤝
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Many thanks!! I am pleased you thought so 🙂
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Wonderful poem and I really love the efforts you put in explaining every detail 🤗
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Thank YOU so much for commenting and showing your support ❤
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Its my pleasure 😊❣️
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Touching verse and so true! No man/woman is an island..
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Indeed, Shammi
Thank you for your beautiful reflection
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Very touching, and I love the chosen image, as well!
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I am happy that you liked it💜
Thank you very much for saying so!!
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My pleasure!
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Bellissima e quanto vera 💖
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Ti ringrazio di cuore 💜💜💜
Buona serata
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Bellerrima Lu Grazie
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Grazie, Paola cara
Buona serata 😘😘😘
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La solitudine comporta abissi che non tutti riescono a conoscere.
In questo caso, come tu ci insegni, l’appello è rivolto all’umanità tutta, troppo spesso cieca e sorda, in effetti.
GRAZIE Luisa: un tema importantissimo.
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Grazie, Claudia.
La solitudine può essere ricercata come un rifugio o evitata come una maledizione.
Resta il fatto che, se si fa parte di una comunità (e dell’umanità in genere) la solidarietà e la collaborazione sono basilari e indispensabili
Un abbraccio 🤗😘🤗
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Direi che sottoscrivo ogni parola!
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🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺
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Sarebbe davvero una bella cosa…. 😌
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Vero, Ale cara, ma come sai la solidarietà per alcuni è solo una parola vuota
Buona serata e un abbraccio🤗
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😘😘😘😘
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Beautiful poem, Luisa, with profound thoughts. As the apostle Paul wrote, we (the Church) are members of the Body of Christ, and we need one another.
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What a precious observation that provides a lot of food for thought
Thanks a lot 🙏🙏🙏
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Strong, powerful & wise poem, dear Luisa! Thank you! 🙂
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Dear Maria. I’m really grateful for your wonderful words.
Lots of love 🙏🌺🙏🌺
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My pleasure, dear Luisa! Thank you for your literary treasures! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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An excellent poem. People do need one another. Great analysis, Luisa!
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La collaborazione tra gli esseri umani è molto importante, si potrebbe quasi dire che è tutto!!! Bu9nacs3rata cara Luisa 💙
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I never tire of reading Maya Angelou.
Her life journey held more challenges than most could imagine.
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I love this. ❤️
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She is so right! I absolutely love her!
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Amazing. Thank you for sharing
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Thanks you for your appreciation.❤
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bella ed empatica la poesia.
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Maya Angelou sa toccare il cuore ❤️❤️❤️
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è vero
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Ciao Luisa 💕
Ti abbraccio di cuore ❤ anche nel casotto del mio infelice trasloco
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Un abbraccio forte anche a te
Coraggio Vicky, vedrai che un passo alla volta riuscirai a venirne a capo. 😘😘😘
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😘😘😘
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Davvero bello ❤
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Sono contenta che ti sia piaciuto🌹
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Bellissima!
Da sempre la solitudine e la voglia di unirsi ha ispirato liriche significative.
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Proprio così ❣️❣️❣️
Grazie
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Great rendition of a legendary poet. I’ll love to reblog this. Thanks
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👍❤️❤️❤️
Thank you
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Love this poem. I actually just uploaded a new poem entitled the walk. In which I speak on feeing alone in life’s journey. Feel free to check it out.
https://litreply.wordpress.com/2021/10/24/the-walk/
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Thank you for your kind comment 🙏
I’ve just read your poem and found it deep and beautiful.
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Thank you so much for the feedback❤️
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🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
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One of her excellent poems and referencing to the Bible.
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Thank you very much for your kind feedback
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Your welcome
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Insightful
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Thanks a lot!
So glad you liked it 🙏🙏🙏
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