Poem Analysis - Communication I

Introduction: A Disconnect in Communication

Maya Angelou's "Communication I" is a poignant portrayal of miscommunication and unmet expectations in a budding relationship. The poem begins with a sense of romantic yearning but quickly descends into disillusionment. The tone shifts from hopeful desire to quiet resignation as the woman realizes the profound disconnect between her and her potential lover. The poem's strength lies in its subtle depiction of emotional distance and the crushing weight of unspoken truths.

The Illusion of Intimacy: Yearning for Connection

One of the central themes of the poem is the contrast between the woman's desire for genuine intimacy and the man's detached intellectualism. The opening lines, "She wished of him a lover's kiss and nights of coupled twining," immediately establish her longing for physical and emotional closeness. The image of "laced themselves between the trees and to the water's edge" suggests a desire for a natural, unforced connection. This contrasts sharply with the man's response, which is to retreat into intellectual discourse, creating a barrier between them.

Intellectual Escapism: Hiding Behind Words

The theme of emotional distance is further developed through the man's reliance on historical and literary references. He "spoke of Greece, the Parthenon and Cleopatra's barge" and "quoted Pope and Bernard Shaw and Catcher in the Rye." These references, while perhaps impressive, serve to distance him from the present moment and from the woman's emotional needs. Instead of engaging with her directly, he hides behind a wall of knowledge, using intellectualism as a shield against vulnerability. The poem suggests that true communication requires more than just the exchange of words; it demands a willingness to connect on a deeper, more personal level.

The Sea and Sandal: Symbols of Lost Hope

The poem utilizes vivid imagery to underscore the woman's growing sense of disappointment. The "cratered moon" symbolizes the vast distance between them, both physically and emotionally. Her action of placing her "foot up to the shin within the ocean brine" can be interpreted as an attempt to find solace and grounding in the natural world. The image of the lost sandal is particularly evocative, symbolizing the loss of hope and the crumbling of her romantic expectations. Drying her toe and mopping her brow suggest a moment of quiet reflection and a realization of the futility of her efforts to connect with the man.

Revelation and Resignation: Accepting the Truth

The final stanza delivers the crushing blow of truth. The woman's "dry-eyed" demeanor suggests a stoic acceptance of her fate. By confiding in her mother, she acknowledges the depth of her disappointment and seeks a comforting connection. The poem culminates in the devastatingly simple line: "Of all he said, I understood he said he loved another.” This line underscores the man's ultimate emotional unavailability and the painful reality that his intellectual pronouncements masked a deeper, unspoken truth. The poem’s form, with its increasingly short stanzas as the poem progresses, mirrors the dwindling hope and growing clarity of the woman’s understanding.

Conclusion: The Tragedy of Miscommunication

"Communication I" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of human connection and the devastating consequences of miscommunication. Through carefully chosen imagery and a shift in tone, Angelou reveals the tragedy of a relationship built on intellectual pretense rather than genuine emotional exchange. The poem serves as a reminder that true communication requires vulnerability, empathy, and a willingness to bridge the gaps that separate us.