Poetry Friday

Last night I got to go hear the phenomenal poet Maya Angelou speak at Drake University. This is my second time seeing Maya and I'm always awed and inspired by her words. Her poem Phenomenal Woman was one of the ones I read over and over in college. I've loved her poetry and I've found her to be an inspiring teacher.

Last night she talked about the people who have been inspiring for her. Her rainbow in the clouds. She talked about how we can be that inspiration for others. How we need to connect with others and not be timid and that will allow our light to shine. It was an inspiring message but one that Maya mixed with humor. She really has a great sense of humor. As always I was stunned to be in her presence. And I think the rest of the over 7000 people felt the same way. When she walked into the room we all rose to our feet instantly, cheering and clapping. She is just an amazing woman.

I liked her message of hope and thought I would post one of my favorite poems of hers about hope, and about power.

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 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.