Writer and civil rights champion Maya Angelou (1928 - ) may
be one of the most famous American poets of the current age. Her first book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, has
become almost required reading for American literature students.
With dozens of honorary doctorate degrees, she has spoken at
Presidential Inaugurations and university graduations. In 2011, U.S. President
Barack Obama presented Angelou with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
.
.
This poem demonstrates Angelou’s indomitable spirit.
By Maya AngelouYou 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.
Last year’s A to Z
post: Stuck
on Self
.
.
Related Items:
Feel free to follow on GooglePlus and Twitter. You are also
invited to join this writer's fan
page, as well as the Chicago Etiquette Examiner, Madison Holidays Examiner, Equestrian
Examiner and Madison
Equestrian Examiner on Facebook.
Dancer
Creative Commons Licensing
Favorite Classic Poems
Adapted from ClipArt ETC
A to Z Blogging Challenge logo
Fair Use
Angelou is one of my favorite authors/inspirations. Love this poem.
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page