“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.”

June 1st 2020 in Monday Motivation

During my quiet time this morning, I was reminded of my favorite poem, Still I Rise, by the great Dr. Maya Angelou. What a beautiful reminder that no matter how downtrodden we are, we will rise.

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,

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

Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.