Meaning of this poem?

Question

You Came, Too
by Nikki Giovanni

I came to the crowd seeking friends
I came to the crowd seeking love
I came to the crowd for understanding

I found you

I came to the crowd to weep
I came to the crowd to laugh

You dried my tears
You shared my happiness

I went from the crowd seeking you
I went from the crowd seeking me
I went from the crowd forever

You came, too
____________________________________
Can you tell me what the meaning of this poem is?

Answer 1

I'd say it's about God. He/she attended some gathering, probably just to hang out with friends and maybe meet someone to date, someone that would understand that person's thoughts and desires. He/she wanted to feel something, whether it be happiness or sadness. He/she felt like God understood them, helped them with their sadness, joined in their happiness. When the person left, they intended to follow God, to understand themselves better, and to never go back to who they were before the gathering. And of course, God was with them.

The gathering could have been going to a religious ceremony, like church or temple or mosque. It's probably referring to the Christian God due to the name.

Answer 2

I guess to me this poem depicts someone who is has been searching for so much, then finally found what they were looking for. I'd say it's a love poem - someone seeking love, friendship and understanding, wanting a place where they could be themselves. And when they got to that place they found someone who could offer them all that they were looking for.

The last stanza :

"I went from the crowd seeking you
I went from the crowd seeking me
I went from the crowd forever"

kinda to me says that the person left after finding what they wanted, but still doubted that they actually had it. Then the very last line:

"You came, too"

says to me that their 'lover' (for want of a better word) saw thier need and left with them.

I don't know if any of this even remotley makes sense, but I hope it helps :)

Good luck on your quest for understanding...