In and Out of Time
By Maya Angelou
The sun has come.
The mist has gone.
We see in the distance…
our long way home.
I was always yours to have.
You were always mine.
We have loved each other in and out of time.
When the first stone looked up at the blazing sun
and the first tree struggled up from the forest floor
I had always loved you more.
You freed your braids…
gave your hair to the breeze.
It hummed like a hive of honey bees.
I reached in the mass for the sweet honey comb there…
Mmmm… God how I love your hair.
You saw me bludgeoned by circumstance.
Lost, injured, hurt by chance.
I screamed to the heavens… loudly screamed…
Trying to change our nightmares into dreams…
The sun has come.
The mist has gone.
We see in the distance our long way home.
I was always yours to have.
You were always mine.
We loved each other in and out,
in and out, in and out of time.
Summary of In and Out of Time
- Origin of “In and Out of Time” The poem “In and Out of Time” is often associated with Maya Angelou, but there is no record of it in her published works. The poem is frequently discussed online as an example of enduring love, exploring a connection that transcends time and circumstance. Its honest and vulnerable portrayal of a lifelong bond has made it a favorite among readers.
- Representation of Love The poem presents a speaker’s deep and unwavering affection for another. It begins with the image of a journey toward a shared future, a “long way home,” hinting at a lifelong commitment. The speaker claims love that has existed “in and out of time,” suggesting a bond that predates their current lives. Even when faced with hardship, the speaker’s love remains steadfast, illustrating the strength of a relationship that endures trials.
- Major Themes Love, resilience, and the enduring nature of connection are central themes. The poem does not focus solely on romantic love; it also touches on a soulmate connection that exists beyond time and space. The imagery of “changing our nightmares into dreams” highlights love’s transformative power. Overall, the poem celebrates a love that is timeless, unwavering, and deeply profound.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “In and Out of Time”
Literary devices enrich writing and convey meaning. The poem incorporates several such devices, enhancing its emotional impact.
- Assonance – Repetition of vowel sounds creates a musical quality. For example, the short “i” sound in “It hummed like a hive of honey bees” mirrors the buzzing of bees, heightening the sensory experience.
- Alliteration – Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words. In “first stone…first tree,” the “f” sound emphasizes the origins of the world and the grounding of the love described.
- Anaphora – Repetition of a word or phrase at the start of successive clauses. The repeated “in and out” in the closing lines reinforces the timeless, cyclical nature of the relationship.
- Enjambment – A sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without punctuation. The passage “When the first stone looked up at the blazing sun and the first tree struggled up from the forest floor I had always loved you more” flows across lines, creating rhythm and linking images of existence with enduring love.
- Imagery – Descriptive language that appeals to the senses. “You freed your braids…gave your hair to the breeze” offers a vivid visual and tactile image, while “I screamed to the heavens” provides an auditory and emotional cue.
- Personification – Assigning human qualities to nonhuman entities. The lines “When the first stone looked up at the blazing sun and the first tree struggled up from the forest floor” give the stone and tree the ability to look and struggle, symbolizing their emergence alongside the love described.
- Symbolism – Objects or images that represent abstract ideas. The “sweet honey comb” symbolizes the sweetness and delight found in the relationship, and “screamed to the heavens” represents desperation and the search for solace.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “In and Out of Time”
Poetic devices shape rhythm, sound, and meaning in poetry.
- Free Verse – The poem does not follow a regular rhyme scheme or meter, allowing for a conversational rhythm that mirrors the boundless nature of the love expressed.
- Repetition – Lines such as “The sun has come. The mist has gone. We see in the distance our long way home. I was always yours to have. You were always mine” repeat to create musicality and reinforce themes of enduring love and shared journey.
- Refrain – The repeated lines function as a refrain, underscoring the cyclical nature of time and love and suggesting continuous renewal.
- Stanza – Although the poem lacks formal stanzas, the grouping of lines provides visual breaks that highlight key ideas and emotions, contributing to flow and readability.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines express enduring love:
“I was always yours to have.
You were always mine.
We loved each other in and out,
in and out, in and out of time.”