You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame - I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain - I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear - I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear - I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
-Maya Angelou
what a wonderful voice....
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by my blog post, katie..
you have a new follower! :)
Wow, I thought this was all your work... until I got to the end. I should have recognised the wonderful voice of Maya. Thank you for sharing this piece.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to read her work once in a while; it's kind of calming. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI also thought it was yours, I have not read this one before. I do love her words and her mind. She is so delightful yet rooted in reality. She can melt my heart with pain and bring a tear and the next line will lift my soul.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great piece to share with us about strength. Thank you and I may just go back up and read it again.
Truly nice selection Miss Katie. ♥
Thank you!
Delete