Love in the Words of Maya Angelou

Seven wedding vow-worthy quotes from the great late author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

By Jessica Miga

Writing your vows is a deeply personal — and often arduous — process. If you’re searching for inspiration, a quote — literary, poetic or otherwise — may be just the thing you need. Look no further than the immortal words of the late Maya Angelou. A prolific writer, Angelou is best known for her autobiographies, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and her poetry, including the 1993 inaugural poem “On the Pulse of Morning.” Angelou’s timeless observations on love, joy and the resilience of the human spirit are certain to clarify your vision and strengthen your vows. Here are seven quotes to get you started.

1. “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences and penetrates walls to arrive at its destination.” —Posted to Maya Angelou’s official Facebook (January 11, 2013)

2. “We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share.” —Unknown source

3. “Give me your hand. / Make room for me / to lead and follow / you / beyond this rage of poetry. / Let others have the privacy of / touching words / and love of loss / of love. / For me / Give me your hand.” —“A Conceit,” from Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well (1975)

4. “When we decide to be happy we accept the responsibility to bring happiness to someone else.” —Posted to Maya Angelou’s official Facebook and Twitter (March 20, 2013)

5. “I am grateful to have been loved and to be loved now and to be able to love, because that liberates. Love liberates.” —Oprah’s Master Class (2011)

6. “We are weaned from our timidity / In the flush of love’s light / we dare to be brave / And suddenly we see / that love costs all we are / and will ever be. / Yet it is only love / which sets us free.” —Excerpt from “Touched by an Angel”

7. “My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.” —Unknown source