When I Think About Myself, Maya Angelou: Summary & Analysis

"When I Think About Myself" by Maya Angelou is a candid and reflective poem that explores the complexities of the speaker's identity and experiences. Through a combination of humor, irony, and self-awareness, the poem delves into the speaker's personal journey, her interactions with others, and her relationship with her cultural heritage. When I Think About Myself by Maya Angelou When I think about myself, I almost laugh myself to death, My life has been one great big joke, A dance that's walked A song that's spoke, I laugh so hard I almost choke When I think about myself. Sixty years in these folks' world The child I works for calls me girl I say 'Yes ma'am' for working's sake. Too proud to bend Too poor to break, I laugh until my stomach ache, When I think about myself. My folks can make me split my side, I laughed so hard I nearly died, The tales they tell, sound just like lying, They grow the fruit, But eat the rind, I laugh until I sta…