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Cotton rows crisscross the world And dead-tired nights of…

“Cotton rows crisscross the world And dead-tired nights of yearning Thunderbolts on leather strops And all my body burning Sugar cane reach up to God And every baby crying Shame a blanket of my night And all my days are dying” quote by Maya Angelou
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““Cotton rows crisscross the world And dead-tired nights of yearning Thunderbolts on leather strops And all my body burning Sugar cane reach up to God And every baby crying Shame a blanket of my night And all my days are dying””

Maya Angelou

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The verses juxtapose vivid, often harsh images of labor, desire, and suffering with a yearning for transcendence and divine connection.

In simple terms: Hard work and longing meet spiritual hope.

Key Takeaway

Seek meaning beyond hardship.

Themes

suffering spirituality hope identity

Mood

reflective melancholic hopeful

Type

poetic inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • labor
  • personal growth
  • creative expression
  • healing
  • faith

Key Concepts

existential yearning metaphor resilience

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you find hope amid hardship?
  • What role does spirituality play in your endurance?
A Different Perspective

The poetic imagery may romanticize struggle, overlooking systemic oppression.

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