A great poem by Maya Angelou.
Sometimes we have to deal with unwanted energy and it may be a very harsh battle considering the force of the source and at times that force is so strong that you start to succumb to it and bow out of the fight to keep walking through the storm with your head held high.
'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.'
The words above happen to be my favorite part of this poem. Whether it be negative energy, hateful words, acts of hate, we must push through it at all costs. Time is infinite but life is a time borrowed and it doesn't last very long.
So we must accomplish everything we can in our time on earth and while on our journey to succeed in everything we must also not forget to spread love and kindness wherever we go.
Despite those who try to shower us with acid rain and spiteful words, we must turn face with a smile.
When I read this poem I feel like I can deal with anything, battle negative energy by setting up an imaginary forcefield around myself everywhere I go.
This poem gives one strength and determination to continue life with a smile and a heart full of positivity and love for those who have ill wishes.
Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
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.
