Curtains forcing their will
against the wind,
children sleep,
exchanging dreams with
seraphim. The city
drags itself awake on
subway straps; and
I, an alarm, awake as a
rumor of war,
lie stretching into dawn,
unasked and unheeded.

In the poem “Awaking In New York” by Maya Angelou, the author describes the city waking up in the morning. The curtains are compared to someone trying to push against the wind, showing that they are resisting the natural forces, maybe like the city showing its strength. As children sleep, the poem says they are exchanging dreams with angels, adding a magical touch to the city setting.

The city is portrayed as slowly waking up, with people holding onto subway straps, indicating the start of daily activities. The speaker sees themselves as an alarm, suggesting a disruptive or alarming presence during the city’s awakening. The mention of a “rumor of war” introduces the idea of tension or a possible conflict, creating a feeling of unease or concern.

As dawn arrives, the speaker lies awake, feeling unnoticed and disregarded. This suggests a sense of being alone or ignored, reflecting the common feeling of anonymity in a busy city. The overall mood of the poem includes observation, self-reflection, and a subtle sense of worry, capturing the mixed emotions that come with the start of a new day in a lively yet sometimes challenging urban setting.