my body has been
desecrated
by the expressions of love
of all of those
who came before you

yes
they did treat my body
like a temple
but for a temporary god
who vanishes
when day breaks

little did they know
that it broke me
too

Always stay persistent
Continue on walking in the right path
Let no one deter you
Keep it moving and stay on track
The sun will eventually shine
Greatness is within you
Never give up hope
Just travel along through

i did not
throw anything away

it was you
who threw me out

and i simply remained
where you left me

What am I to you?
Ugly. Insecure.
Disgusting. Pathetic.
Exists only when you need me.

Flowers grow where she walks
But you grow thorns and thistles
I don't hate you.
I just miss the 'better, kinder' you.

when your heart is heavy,
you cannot just empty it -
and even if you could,
who would want an empty heart?

What if
our personalities
are just
our mother
and our father
fighting
inside of us?

Sometimes I wish I never knew you,
sometimes you're all I know.

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 **** 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.