Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise” is one of her most famous and inspiring works, embodying themes of resilience, empowerment, and the unbreakable spirit of marginalized communities. First published in her 1978 poetry collection “And Still I Rise,” the poem is a powerful assertion of self-worth, pride, and defiance in the face of adversity. It speaks not only to her personal experience as a Black woman but also resonates universally with anyone who has faced oppression and prejudice. With bold metaphors, rhythmic cadences, and an unwavering tone of hope, Angelou’s words challenge societal norms and celebrate the human capacity to overcome.
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“Still I Rise” – A Poem by Maya Angelou
You may write me down in history
~ Maya Angelou
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.
Synopsis of “Still I Rise” Poem by Maya Angelou
“Still I Rise” is a triumphant declaration of overcoming prejudice, discrimination, and hardship with dignity and strength. Angelou confronts those who try to demean her, responding with a confident and defiant refrain: “Still I rise.” The poem moves through a series of vivid images that symbolize resilience, comparing her rise to natural phenomena like dust, air, moons, and tides — forces that are inevitable and unstoppable. Through this work, Angelou addresses historical injustices and personal affronts, emphasizing the enduring legacy of her ancestors and the power of hope. Her tone, alternating between playful mockery and solemn pride, makes the poem an anthem of perseverance and empowerment.
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Summary of “Still I Rise” Poem by Maya Angelou
The poem opens with Angelou acknowledging the oppression and lies that have sought to define her throughout history. Despite being metaphorically trampled and subjected to bitterness, she declares her ability to rise, comparing herself to dust that cannot be subdued. In successive verses, she confronts her oppressors with rhetorical questions and defiant imagery, highlighting her confidence and joy in the face of their disdain. Her expressions of “sassiness,” “haughtiness,” and “sexiness” challenge traditional norms and discomfort those who wish to see her diminished. She proclaims her resilience against verbal attacks, hateful glances, and malicious intent, likening her perseverance to air that cannot be held down.
In the latter part of the poem, Angelou broadens the scope, drawing on historical suffering and collective struggle. She envisions herself as a vast, unstoppable ocean rising from a past filled with terror and pain. Her ascent symbolizes freedom, joy, and the fulfillment of her ancestors’ dreams. The poem concludes with a powerful repetition of the phrase “I rise,” underscoring the relentless strength and enduring hope that define her identity. Ultimately, “Still I Rise” is a celebration of triumph over adversity and a testament to the unyielding human spirit.
Back to: List of Poets in Alphabetical Order
List of Poets in Alphabetical Order
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