Still I Rise

[JACKIE1-25-15]

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread 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

[Bdwallhau]

She was always—is still—one of my favorite writers and human beings. Her wisdom was hard-won, and she was generous to share it in the beautiful way that only she could. 

[Kimshine]

I just love Maya Angelou! She's a class act and a true inspiration. My grandma used to read her poetry when I was a teenager and I fell in love with her inspiring words also.

Thanks for sharing!

[AnnetteMM]

I was fortunate enough to have seen her perform many years ago, and I can still tear up thinking about it.  She is/was a national treasure.  Thank you for posting this.

[YoungAtHeart]

A national treasure, indeed.  Her words speak to so much of our human experience.

She is missed.

Nancy

[Mandolinrain]

I was just looking over some post and remembered this one and came back to it to add....Another wonderful woman who I dearly loved, admired and respected was Della Reece. That woman just shined with Gods heart . I miss her.

Here are 2 of her quotes:

"I could not have made it this far had there not been angels along the way "

" My idea of forgiveness is letting go of resentment that does not serve your better interest , riding yourself of negative thoughts.  All they do is make you miserable.  Believe me you can fret and fume all you want but whomever it was that wronged you is not suffering in your anguish whatsoever".

[JACKIE1-25-15]

That is nice, I like that.  Check this one out. She was so down to earth and did not pull punches.  The Real.  

[elvan]

Thank you JACKIE1-25-15‌, that truly was one of her best...there are so many amazing poems that she wrote that ONLY SHE could have written.