Still I Rise - A poem by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou - Still I Rise

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.

Added: on February 15th, 2008 at 12:35 PM | Viewed: 225303 times | Comments and analysis of Still I Rise by Maya Angelou Comments (255)

Still I Rise - Comments and Information
Poet: Maya Angelou Poem: Still I Rise Poem of the Day: Jun 4 2004 Comment 255 of 255, added on April 20th, 2008 at 1:11 AM. I like how she, instead of making it specific to her life, used broad simple words to enable any and everyone who reads the poem to apply it to their own lives. Although she has faced many adversities as an African American growing up and it radiates in the works she does, you do not have to be an African American to relate to it. I also like the fact that she has sort of a defiant tone in this poem. She uses naturally negative words like "sassiness" and "haughtiness", and owns them to become positive characteristics. Then she aims rhetorical questions towards the "you" of the poem in almost a comical way, suggesting that they are almost offended and upset because they don't have those characteristics; as if they are jealous almost. There is a lot going on in this poem, I can talk for days. It is really empowering and uplifting towards all women everywhere and it instill hope for our future. Andrea from United States Comment 254 of 255, added on February 25th, 2008 at 12:55 PM. i love this poam it reflects to true african american black power. It makes me feel like i can be stronger than i am!! i just want to say thanx to maya angelou!! yours truely,seamone micah battles from United States Comment 253 of 255, added on February 15th, 2008 at 12:35 PM. I love the world out of this poem, because it reminds me of my own life because people are just obstacles in my way but...STILL I WILL RISE!!!!! latonia littlejohn from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Still I Rise, has received 255 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Maya Angelou with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Maya Angelou Poem: Still I Rise Last read: May 15 2008, 12:31AM Poem of the Day: Jun 4 2004 Viewed 225303 times. Added on February 15th, 2008 at 12:35 PM.

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