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.
wow! i may be young but that is a great poem! all i can say is wow! wowowowowowoowow
THIS POEM IS VERY INSPIRING I LOVE TO READ EVRY DAY EELING LIKE ITS ME LIKE SHE WROTE THIS POEM EXACTLY FOR ME WHEN WE HAVE BLACK HISTORY MONTH I TRY TOPICK HER EVERY TIME JUST TO READ HER POEMS NOT JUST THIS ONE BUT ALL HER POEMS ARE LL UNIQUE U INSPIRE ME AOT OT KNOW THAT BLACK WOMEN ARE MORE THEN JUST ARE HIPS AND THIGHS BUT BRILLENCE IN ARE SMILE ARE WALK THE WAY WE TALK AND MORE AND FOR THAT I GREATLY RESPECT YOU AND CONTINUE WITH THE GRAT WORK LOVE YA
I THINK SHE WROTE THIS POEM BECAUSE SHE TOOK PERSONAL EXPERIENCE FROM HER LIFE TO WRITE IT. I REALLY LIKE THIS POEM BECAUSE SHE PUTS HER FEELINGS INTO EVERY POEM SHE WRITES. ONE DAY I WISH TO BECOME A POET AND SHOW THE WHOLE WORLD THE FEELINGS I FEEL. I WRITE POEMS OF MY OWN AND ONE DAY I WISH TO GET THEM PUBLISHED.MAYA ANGELOU IS MY MENTOR BECAUSE ONE DAY I WILL HAVE ENOUGH PASSION TO WRITE THE EVERYDAY THINGS THAT HAPPENS TO ME.
is this about racists or guys???? cuz some of the comments say no man can bring me down and others say stuff about the power of black people.
and nick wants to know what the dimonds between youre thighs is all about???
i would really appreciate it if i can get the
real, deeper and more precise meaning of the poem since i will be using it for my project work
thanks alot
i really like this poem as it encourages me to grab
the opportunities i have now n make very good use of it despite the struggles this is truly an inspiration
to all readers n as such im gonna take this as my project poem keep on with the good work Maya Angelou
this is a pretty poem and i like it!
maya you know just best how to inspire me with your outstanding artistic skills. the poem signifies alot issues in my life as a young black lady.you are and will remain my no.1 poetry writer, novelist etc.
Maya Angelo is my favorite poet. Maya’s writing is often poignant, sassy and sensous, yet always insightful. “Still I Rise” I consider my personal mantra. It gives testimony to the tremendous struggles being faced by African American women. Maya gives hope and encouragement to millions.
i did a poem analysis on this poem and it turned out wonderful! awesome poem to write about and talk about taught me a lot!
Hi,
I am 15 years old and i am in love with your work!! Its amazing!! Keep it up!!
Wow that poems deep. We’re doing it for some english assignment and yeah, we think it’s cool. I think both of us have already learnt that no mans words or actions could ever put us down. We love you!
this poem really made me think about the struggles african americans had to go thru to get where they are today … it shows that no matter who put her down or who treated her badly she had to ignore them and overcome the obstacles of growing up in racially divided society in this poem maya clearly states that no matter what she does she will rise on top
This poem is so good i can feel what she is trying to say!!!
Still I rise is a great poem that I think everyone should read. It is about the struggles of people on a whole and no matter what is in their way they rise. This poem is really deep and is worth the thought.
Maya I love all of your poems expecially still i rise and Phomenal woman
For me this poem is one of the best i have ever read so i chose to write a paper on it but i dont noe wat the meaning of the poem is just that if you listen to wat others say about u, u will be holding ur self back from something way better .If this isnt the write meaning please write to joe before february 13 2006.
thanks love,
Joe
This is the most inspiring poem i have ever read and i also think its the most inspiring ever wriiten. I have chosen to do this piece in my country in celebration of black history month. As a young black person myself this poem has touched directly in my mind and inspired me to be great and to know and love myslef. This is an exceptional piece of work…a timely treasure and one that will live on in the future for GENERATIONS..Great things to Maya Angelou
Every year at the black history program at my church,
Someone reads Martin Luther”s I had dream,But this year I’m reading I Rise,BecauseIt has Always Inspired
me to keep my head up,no matter what my problems are.
For I know with this poem and God on my side I wiil rise.
Actually, this poem has been rewritten and adapted into a song: Still I rise from Ben harper (really marvellous)