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.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Maya Angelou's poem Still I Rise

273 Comments

  1. ingrid hallberg says:

    This poem was brought to me by the late fine actress Margareta Krook on Swedish televsion 15-20 years ago. That was the first time I heard of you Ms Angelou. You read the poem and went through the screen. Since then i have read it for my students, given it to my friends and they all have been utterly moved by the amazing energy it brings. Thank you so much for a poem that gives empowerment and strength to people all over the world!/Ingrid Nyström-Hallberg

  2. Samantha says:

    WOW!!! this poem blew me away! ie been looking for a poem for a speech contest one that would touch everybody and one that i can really relate to and I think that this poem is just that!!!!!

  3. trisha says:

    I REALLY LOVE DIZ POEM I MEAN IT SEEM LIKE I CKAN RELATE 2 WAT U R SAYING

  4. whitney says:

    I love her words..the way she so inacently uses her past, growing up in a segreqated era. she simply states that if people would only see past the color of her skin and listen to her words she has a powerful message and she wants all to her it so she will perservear until she is heard! Maya Angelou is a role model for all who want to be heard.

  5. Dana says:

    This poem as touch me in a way i have never been touch before.And if any and everyone take the time out to read it i’ll bet them it will make them feel the same way. It has so much life to it that it made me think twice about who i’m am and what my purpose in life is .So to you Miss Angelo I say Thank You

  6. Korrow says:

    This is an amazing poem. I find it to be extremely taunting and triumphant. It just radiates empowerment and self-worth. A lovely bit of art.

  7. Nabila says:

    The Poem is an anthem for the supressed everywhere, and goes beyond its intended message to all people in all times of history who have suffered, and are expected to appear bowed down. I do like the defiant and unpretentious air of this poem.

  8. young writer says:

    oh my gosh! i may not have had ancesters that were slaves, but i absolutely loooooove this poem, and many of Maya’s others.

  9. shakima says:

    man here africa we dont really hear cool poems like this one!!!! man,,, i want to live in california. but ok i have to go to my tree now!!! c u later alligator!!! do u want some coconuts???

  10. Kestrel says:

    I’m writing about this poem for my GCSE coursework and it gives me such an amazingly motivated feeling. I adore it. Me loving this poem and poet shows how shes even inspired the younger generation. I’m 16 and I adore it.

  11. Tashundra says:

    THIS PEOM IS VERY INSPIRITATION TO MY YOUNG TEENS AS MY SELF .I AVE READ MANY PEOMS THAT WERE WRITTEN AS LLIKE THE AIR I BREATH I KNOW MAYA ANGELOU STILL RISES

  12. Erica says:

    i like the poem it helps me rise to the occasion makes me stand up for my belives

  13. Lisa says:

    This is my favorite poem by Maya ANgelou. she is my favorite poet and I happened to come accross this site on doing research for a presentation on Maya Angelou. I love her and so should every other black female!

  14. takyah says:

    what are gold mines and what do you mean about diamonds at the meeting of my thighs

  15. cali says:

    it think this poem was expressed very well and she ment what she was saing and it came from Maya heart! when i read it i thpught that she put it in GOOD words

  16. almas says:

    i think that the way the poet has presented her veiws of the africamn slave past is exemply

  17. Shay says:

    i liked the poem because it a my heart

  18. dede says:

    I WOULD LI KE TO READ IT STUPID!!!

  19. T.Thompson says:

    this poem is one of the best poem i have ever read, i am a writer also and Mya inspires me alot. Keep it up yu a di best mon

  20. NICHOL COOK says:

    THIS IS A VERY DEEP POEM, KEPT UP THE GOOD WORK

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