Friday, January 24, 2020

Still I Rise


I am sure I have shared this poem before, but some days it just has to be shared again.
In the video there is the girl with the broken wing attempting to fly,
there is the woman walking to the podium,
and the mother comforting her child.
I am all of those things and so much more.
You are all of those things and so much more.
We must be willing to embrace our power
and hold it our precious hearts and hands.

Still I Rise


- 1928-2014
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 backyard.

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.

 Happy weekend, dear friends!

4 comments:

Jeanie said...

I love this. I always have. I will forever. After last night's inspiring phase 1 close, I feel it all the more.

Red Rose Alley said...

LOVE LOVE THIS, MARILYN. : ) I've always told you that you find the best quotes.....and how special that you share them with us. : )

~Sheri

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

A wonderful share for us all ♥

Mary said...

Marilyn, the video is incredible - I've never seen it before. Am sharing it with several others whom I know will be blown away as am I. Thank you for this post.
Mary x