Preacher, Don't Send Me" by Maya Angelou

Introduction

The poem "Preacher, Don't Send Me" by Maya Angelou is a reflection on the speaker's views on heaven and the afterlife. The speaker rejects the traditional Christian notions of heaven as a place of luxury and ease, instead envisioning a more earthly paradise where family, kindness, and music are present. The poem's tone is humorous and irreverent, yet also conveys a deep sense of longing and desire for a better world.

Preacher, don't send me

when I die

to some big ghetto

in the sky

where rats eat cats

of the leopard type

and Sunday brunch (a late morning meal eaten instead of breakfast and lunch)

is grits and tripe.

I've known those rats

I've seen them kill

and grits I've had

would make a hill,

or maybe a mountain,

so what I need

from you on Sunday

is a different creed.

Preacher, please don't

promise me

streets of gold

and milk for free.

I stopped all milk

at four years old

and once I'm dead

I won't need gold.

I'd call a place

pure paradise

where families are loyal

and strangers are nice,

where the music is jazz

and the season is fall.

Promise me that

or nothing at all.

Preacher, Don't Send Me" is a powerful poem by Maya Angelou that speaks to the struggles and experiences of African Americans in the United States. The poem is written in free verse, without a set rhyme or metre, which gives it a sense of freedom and spontaneity.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing a preacher, asking him not to send her to heaven just yet. She describes the hardships and struggles she has faced in life, from racism and discrimination to poverty and despair. She expresses her desire to live a full and meaningful life on earth before she is called to the afterlife.

Throughout the poem, Angelou uses vivid imagery and figurative language to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences. For example, she compares life to a tree that is "bent with rotten fruit" and a river that is "raging and deep." These metaphors evoke a sense of struggle and difficulty, as well as the resilience and strength needed to overcome them.

The poem also touches on themes of identity and spirituality. The speaker expresses her frustration with the limitations and expectations placed on her as a black woman, and her desire to break free from these constraints. She also grapples with questions of faith and the afterlife, asking the preacher not to send her to a heaven she is not ready for.

Overall, "Preacher, Don't Send Me" is a poignant and powerful poem that captures the experiences of African Americans in the United States, as well as the universal struggles of human existence.

Desire for Fulfilment in Life: The poem expresses the speaker's desire to live a full and meaningful life on earth before transitioning to the afterlife. This theme reflects the universal human longing for fulfillment and purpose.

Resistance Against Preconceived Notions: The speaker challenges the preacher's assumptions about heaven and the afterlife, asserting her own beliefs and desires. This theme highlights the importance of questioning and resisting societal norms and expectations.

Struggle and Resilience: Throughout the poem, the speaker describes the hardships and struggles she has faced, including racism, discrimination, and poverty. Despite these challenges, she demonstrates resilience and determination to overcome adversity.

Identity and Self-Expression: The poem touches on themes of identity, particularly the speaker's identity as a black woman. She expresses frustration with the limitations and expectations placed on her and asserts her right to define herself on her own terms.

Spirituality and Faith: The poem grapples with questions of faith and spirituality, as the speaker confronts the preacher's beliefs about heaven and the afterlife. This theme reflects the speaker's complex relationship with religion and her search for meaning and understanding.

Embrace of Earthly Pleasures: The speaker expresses a desire for earthly pleasures and experiences, rejecting the notion of a heavenly paradise. This theme celebrates the joys and beauty of life on earth, emphasising the importance of living fully in the present moment.