We, this people, on a small and lonely planet
Traveling through casual space
Past aloof stars, across the way of indifferent suns
To a destination where all signs tell us
It is possible and imperative that we learn
A brave and startling truth

And when we come to it
To the day of peacemaking
When we release our fingers
From fists of hostility
And allow the pure air to cool our palms

When we come to it
When the curtain falls on the minstrel show of hate
And faces sooted with scorn are scrubbed clean
When battlefields and coliseum
No longer rake our unique and particular sons and daughters
Up with the bruised and bloody grass
To lie in identical plots in foreign soil

When the rapacious storming of the churches
The screaming racket in the temples have ceased
When the pennants are waving gaily
When the banners of the world tremble
Stoutly in the good, clean breeze

When we come to it
When we let the rifles fall from our shoulders
And children dress their dolls in flags of truce
When land mines of death have been removed
And the aged can walk into evenings of peace
When religious ritual is not perfumed
By the incense of burning flesh
And childhood dreams are not kicked awake
By nightmares of abuse

When we come to it
Then we will confess that not the Pyramids
With their stones set in mysterious perfection
Nor the Gardens of Babylon
Hanging as eternal beauty
In our collective memory
Not the Grand Canyon
Kindled into delicious color
By Western sunsets

Nor the Danube, flowing its blue soul into Europe
Not the sacred peak of Mount Fuji
Stretching to the Rising Sun
Neither Father Amazon nor Mother Mississippi who, without favor,
Nurture all creatures in the depths and on the shores
These are not the only wonders of the world

When we come to it
We, this people, on this minuscule and kithless globe
Who reach daily for the bomb, the blade and the dagger
Yet who petition in the dark for tokens of peace
We, this people on this mote of matter
In whose mouths abide cankerous words
Which challenge our very existence
Yet out of those same mouths
Come songs of such exquisite sweetness
That the heart falters in its labor
And the body is quieted into awe

We, this people, on this small and drifting planet
Whose hands can strike with such abandon
That in a twinkling, life is sapped from the living
Yet those same hands can touch with such healing, irresistible tenderness
That the haughty neck is happy to bow
And the proud back is glad to bend
Out of such chaos, of such contradiction
We learn that we are neither devils nor divines

When we come to it
We, this people, on this wayward, floating body
Created on this earth, of this earth
Have the power to fashion for this earth
A climate where every man and every woman
Can live freely without sanctimonious piety
Without crippling fear

When we come to it
We must confess that we are the possible
We are the miraculous, the true wonder of this world
That is when, and only when
We come to it.

The title sets the tone for Maya Angelou’s poem, suggesting that the truth being addressed is not an ordinary revelation but one that demands courage and might challenge conventional perspectives. The use of “brave” implies a truth that requires bold acknowledgment, and “startling” hints at its potentially unexpected or revolutionary nature. Together, the title prepares readers for a poem that delves into profound insights about humanity and its potential for transformation.

Overview:

The opening lines of the poem establish a collective identity for humanity (“We, this people”) and place us in the context of the vast cosmos. The image of a “small and lonely planet” traveling through space conveys a sense of insignificance in the grandeur of the universe. The emphasis on the imperative to learn a “brave and startling truth” suggests that the poem will unfold as a journey of realization and awakening.

Imperative of Learning:

The poet urges humanity to recognize the importance of learning a truth that is both brave and startling. This truth is positioned as a destination that lies ahead of us, emphasizing the need for collective understanding and enlightenment. The poem suggests that this truth holds the key to unlocking a more positive and harmonious existence for all.

Transition to a Peaceful Future:

As the poem progresses, it envisions a future marked by peacemaking, where individuals release their hostility and embrace a serene atmosphere. The imagery of releasing fingers “from fists of hostility” and allowing “the pure air to cool our palms” symbolizes a transition from conflict to calmness, a turning point toward a more peaceful coexistence.

End of Hatred and Violence:

The poem paints a vivid picture of a future where the metaphorical curtain falls on the “minstrel show of hate.” This evocative image implies the end of staged displays of animosity, particularly referencing historical racial discrimination. The cleansing of faces sooted with scorn and the absence of battlefields and coliseums convey a vision of a world free from the scars of violence and hatred.

Global Unity:

The poet envisions a harmonious world where symbols of national identity, such as pennants and banners, flutter in a “good, clean breeze.” This image suggests a united global community, transcending geographical, cultural, and political boundaries. The vision of a world where the banners of nations tremble together evokes a sense of solidarity and shared humanity.

Disarmament and Peaceful Childhood:

The poem imagines a world where weapons are metaphorically laid down, symbolizing disarmament and a commitment to resolving conflicts peacefully. The imagery of children dressing their dolls in “flags of truce” portrays a generation growing up in an environment of peace and cooperation, shielded from the traumas of abuse and violence.

Recognition of Other Wonders:

Maya Angelou challenges the conventional notion of wonders by asserting that natural landmarks like the Pyramids or the Grand Canyon are not the sole marvels. Instead, she broadens the definition of wonders to include the potential for goodness, compassion, and positive transformation within humanity. This reframing encourages readers to see the incredible capacity for positive change within themselves and others.

Contradictions in Humanity:

The poem explores the inherent contradictions within humanity, acknowledging our capacity for both destruction and creation. The poet presents a nuanced understanding of human nature, emphasizing that, despite our flaws and destructive tendencies, we also possess the ability to create beauty, healing, and tenderness. This acknowledgment of contradictions contributes to a more complex and realistic portrayal of human potential.

Responsibility for the Earth:

Angelou underscores humanity’s responsibility for the Earth, describing it as a “wayward, floating body” that we have the power to shape. The call to “fashion for this earth a climate” emphasizes the collective agency to create a positive and nurturing environment. The poem suggests that by living freely and without fear or sanctimonious piety, humanity can contribute to a climate that fosters peace and well-being.

Confession of Possibility:

In the concluding lines, the poem calls for a confession – an acknowledgment that humanity possesses the potential for positive change. The descriptors “the possible,” “the miraculous,” and “the true wonder of this world” reinforce the idea that, when humanity collectively realizes its potential for goodness and positive transformation, it becomes a force capable of shaping a better world. The conditional statement, “That is when, and only when, We come to it,” underscores the significance of this realization in bringing about meaningful change.