Looking at the title of this poem, a reader may believe that this poem represents the definition of the title: a favorable opinion or suggestion. However, after reading the body of the poem, it is difficult to find a connection between the bulk and the title.

Through line-by-line analysis, the first few stanzas appear to imply that the author of his poem is willing to help whomever they are writing about by offering to take their hand: “Give me your hand.” Furthermore, the author requests that the subject accept the assistance provided; at the same time, the author will see what the subject is doing wrong and guide them to the right direction: “Make room for me / to lead and follow / you…”

However, in the latter half of the poem, it states that people should be able to maintain their personal feelings, even when they are left behind: “Let others have / the privacy of / touching words / and love of loss / of love.” Even when someone is abandoned, the poem is stating that they should move on without looking back.

Finally, the last line of the poem is “For me / Give me your hand.” The final line of the poem is now asking the person in need to accept the help they are offered for both their benefits. This is said in a way that both of them will receive a positive impact when the desire to help the needy is fulfilled.

As a whole, the poem could be Maya Angelou’s desire to write a poem that offers a clear, visual description of the life she lives in along with other people around her that help each other as they live. This poem would bring in the truths and facts of real life and her surroundings, and be an accurate representation of life.