Shadows on the wall
Noises down the hall
Life doesn’t frighten me at all
Bad dogs barking loud
Big ghosts in a cloud
Life doesn’t frighten me at all
Mean old Mother Goose
Lions on the loose
They don’t frighten me at all
Dragons breathing flame
On my counterpane
That doesn’t frighten me at all.
I go boo
Make them shoo
I make fun
Way they run
I won’t cry
So they fly
I just smile
They go wild
Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
Tough guys fight
All alone at night
Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
Panthers in the park
Strangers in the dark
No, they don’t frighten me at all.
That new classroom where
Boys all pull my hair
(Kissy little girls
With their hair in curls)
They don’t frighten me at all.
Don’t show me frogs and snakes
And listen for my scream,
If I’m afraid at all
It’s only in my dreams.
I’ve got a magic charm
That I keep up my sleeve
I can walk the ocean floor
And never have to breathe.
Life doesn’t frighten me at all
Not at all
Not at all.
Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
"Life Doesn't Frighten Me" by Maya Angelou is an empowering and fearless poem that addresses the theme of courage in the face of adversity. Through its confident language and defiant imagery, the poem encourages readers to confront their fears and challenges head-on, embracing a spirit of resilience and self-assuredness.
The poem's title, "Life Doesn't Frighten Me," immediately establishes a tone of confidence and defiance. The assertion that life holds no fear carries a message of strength and resilience.
The poem employs a rhythmic and repetitive structure that contributes to its spirited and energetic tone. The phrase "Life doesn't frighten me at all" is repeated throughout the poem, reinforcing the speaker's assertion of fearlessness.
Angelou's use of vivid and varied imagery, such as "lonely shadows" and "boogeyman" underscores the array of challenges and fears that one might encounter. The poem confronts these fears directly, refusing to be intimidated by them.
The poem's celebration of strength is further accentuated by its use of enjambment, creating a continuous flow that mirrors the relentless determination to face life's difficulties.
The poem's refrain, "Life doesn't frighten me at all," becomes a rallying cry that empowers readers to embrace their own inner strength and confront their fears with courage.
"Life Doesn't Frighten Me" is a triumphant anthem that encourages readers to stand tall in the face of adversity. The poem's message of fearlessness and self-assuredness serves as a source of inspiration, reminding us of the resilience that lies within each of us. Through its bold language and defiant tone, the poem resonates as a declaration of empowerment and a call to face life's challenges with unwavering confidence.
