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Human Family by Maya Angelou

November 25, 2025 Leave a Comment

You can listen to her reading this poem here: http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/maya-angelou-s-human-family/

to an alternative version:

  Listen to this poem
Anton Jarvis · Human Family by Maya Angelou

Human Family

I note the obvious differences
in the human family.
Some of us are serious,
some thrive on comedy.

Some declare their lives are lived
as true profundity,
and others claim they really live
the real reality.

The variety of our skin tones
can confuse, bemuse, delight,
brown and pink and beige and purple,
tan and blue and white.

I’ve sailed upon the seven seas
and stopped in every land,
I’ve seen the wonders of the world
not yet one common man.

I know ten thousand women
called Jane and Mary Jane,
but I’ve not seen any two
who really were the same.

Mirror twins are different
although their features jibe,
and lovers think quite different thoughts
while lying side by side.

We love and lose in China,
we weep on England’s moors,
and laugh and moan in Guinea,
and thrive on Spanish shores.

We seek success in Finland,
are born and die in Maine.
In minor ways we differ,
in major we’re the same.

I note the obvious differences
between each sort and type,
but we are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.

We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.

We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.

© by owner. provided at no charge for educational purposes   

You can listen to her reading this poem here: http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/maya-angelou-s-human-family/

to an alternative version:

  Listen to this poem
Anton Jarvis · Human Family by Maya Angelou

Analysis (ai): This poem highlights the diversity and underlying unity of humanity. It explores the variations in appearance, personality, and experiences, but ultimately argues that these differences are superficial compared to the fundamental similarities shared by all humans. Maya Angelou’s signature style of concise language and repetition emphasizes the universality of human emotions, hopes, and experiences. The poem reflects the themes of equality and unity that run through Angelou’s other works, and its message of acceptance echoes the civil rights struggles prevalent during her time.

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Kirk Kubicek

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