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.
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Im breathless
From guest Basilio (contact)
Your poem brings me to reality and to recognize the ignorance of my own thoughts. I love your poem, thank you DR., -
love it
From guest dannielle earl (contact)
i think that this poem is the only that i think that i have read and has really made sense to me i love it, it is a real peace of truth -
corol city middle skool
From guest dannyeisha maynard (contact)
i am in the 6 grade an we had to do a project about someone and i picked u because i am one of your fans!!!!!!!!!! -
Incredible!
Full of strength and passion. As well, a poem I can dance to! Beautiful!--Kel -
Transcending
From guest carolc (contact)
This poem makes me cry every time I read it. I love love love Dr. Angelou, Her honesty both cuts and heals similtaneously. -
Loving It
I love this poem. I especially love the part where she says "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." I love this so much. This poem really helps me when i'm down and feel like I can't take anymore. -
this poem
From guest nyasia (contact)
i love this poem its an inspiration im only 12 but maya guides me with her words -
From guest zaara (contact)
i think thiz poem is about all sa hardships of maya's life tht she overcame and rised through thm -
Ms Angelou's ' poetry '.
From guest R.M.Healey (contact)
Banal, badly written, unoriginal...Need I say more ? I advise all admirers of Ms Angelou to read UK author Craig Brown's stunning parody of her work in his first collection ( about ten years ago ). It is hilarious. -
From guest Shakara Jackson (contact)
i love you as a poet writter and a inspirational speaker and i love you and everything you do i will always support you -
Great
'But still, like dust, I'll rise.'
Some poet can very easily speak their heart.this is a classic -
It may have been meant about an entire group of people but it is not a bad commentary on Maya Angelou herself.
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i love this
From guest jazzy (contact)
i love this poem so much because when i am down i just read this and feel up again i love this because i rise in site of everything inside i love this alot -
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excellent
More than a heart can proclaim with all the cretain commanalities that lie in our hearts, and how does our heart cry now as these words are weaved into the embedded wounds of our own? Why must one distinction with a heart have to die a little every day? My heart cries in these words... -
This poem, "Still I Rise", represents the pillar on which the dreams of all oppressed people rests. I read this poem with lots of satisfaction and hope that someday, I can walk shoulder-high to the indignation of my oppressors.I come from Ghana where our ancestors were forcefully huddled,bundled onto slaveships and taken to the so-called land of milk and honey where we aren`t allowed to drink,sap and eat from.Let us rise all ye who are oppressed and claim our rightful places in history
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For me this is a poem about African Americans, about all discriminated against minorities, and also about women. For many centuries women have been the slaves, the discriminated against, whatever their colour. Maya Angelou speaks to all of us whatever race. We can rise and know and glory in our power as women.
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Beautiful Poem
Another great poem written by a great lady Dr. Maya Angelou. Even her name spells greatness. "Still I Rise" is a very inspirational poem for me because it says to me not to let anything or anyone put you down. Rise up to the occassion and take look past your shame, don't let anyone or anything keep prevent you from doing or becoming what you set out to do in your life. -
My partner absolutely detests Dr. Angelou, and I've come to a conclusion. Steven is a white republican, who is from a very dominantly christian family, who can't come to terms with his own sexuality. . . and he finds Dr. Angelou's power, persuasion, her very being. . . threatening. I, however, find her to be very encouraging, and I would love, absolutely love, to even be in the same room with her.
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Five thumbs up
I thougth the poem was very good. we can all relate to being discriminated aganist by the other race or reliogion the poem was the best. -
excellent
I read this poem last year for my English class and my teacher loved it. I think Maya Angelou is a great poet and I love all her work. -
our ancesstor are who we are
i´m not african american, but i am discrimenated against not often but still because i am hispanic. i do not let anyone put me down becase i no what i am....who i am....what i am capable of... what i can do ....what i know. my ancestors risked their lifes to come to this so called free country and still its hard for us to survive and be succesful.i´ve seen a lot of my people been thought of less ...been treated unfairly....not payed attention to when they go missing...the police says that probably their just out getting high or clubbing or something of the sort.We will rise everyone will be finally equal and i mean eqal, yes it will take time but it will soon come we will all rise!!!!!!!!!
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