"sassiness" poems - Hello Poetry

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.

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17.5k

Maya Angelou

Still I 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, 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.

43

Tingling alarm, burning eyes, sassy is out, in my mind. **** long hair, short skirt, dark music, pale skin. Salty humor, seriously sweet, sparkling aura, on high-heels. Knocking on hearts, Opening doors, Shivering crowds, Dancing all floors. Sight sets on me, Fountains of youth, Brilliance in her steps, Each marked with truth. Tied by her beauty, My soul's reeling in, Tossing and turning, The lure, deady sin.

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Nov 20, 2014

Nov 20, 2014 at 2:05 PM UTC

Gustioz

Teaspoons of sassiness

Tingling alarm, burning eyes, sassy is out, in my mind. **** long hair, short skirt, dark music, pale skin. Salty humor, seriously sweet, sparkling aura, on high-heels. Knocking on hearts, Opening doors, Shivering crowds, Dancing all floors. Sight sets on me, Fountains of youth, Brilliance in her steps, Each marked with truth. Tied by her beauty, My soul's reeling in, Tossing and turning, The lure, deady sin.

24

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 **** 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. From And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou. Copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou.

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Nov 16, 2016

Nov 16, 2016 at 2:39 AM UTC

magicpoet01

Still I Rise (Maya Angelou, 1928 - 2014)

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 **** 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. From And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou. Copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou.

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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.

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Jul 24, 2012

Jul 24, 2012 at 1:18 AM UTC

mohit-kalwadia

Still I Rise-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 **** 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.

43

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. By maya angelou

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Mar 26, 2015

Mar 26, 2015 at 3:00 PM UTC

myriahJ

I still 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, 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. By maya angelou

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you mumble and maunder all through your afternoon nap.... never quite still, but not thrashing about... and then you wake, tired and grumpy all sweat and stickyness two hours of tired and five years of sassiness standing before me with thunderclouds for eyebrows.... you want!!!.... but what you get is a big hug a quick dash to the next door neighbors pool.... please god....when will this heatwave end???

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Jan 6, 2015

Jan 6, 2015 at 11:00 PM UTC

betterdays

too hot to handle....

you mumble and maunder all through your afternoon nap.... never quite still, but not thrashing about... and then you wake, tired and grumpy all sweat and stickyness two hours of tired and five years of sassiness standing before me with thunderclouds for eyebrows.... you want!!!.... but what you get is a big hug a quick dash to the next door neighbors pool.... please god....when will this heatwave end???

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You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread 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.

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Apr 7, 2014

Apr 7, 2014 at 10:16 PM UTC

harry-lamba

Still, I rise

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread 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.

43

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread 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 riseup 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

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Aug 6, 2016

Aug 6, 2016 at 1:34 PM UTC

muyiwa-williams

I Rise

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread 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 riseup 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

41

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 **** 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.

0

Mar 24, 2015

Mar 24, 2015 at 2:35 PM UTC

marisia

Still I Rise Maya Angelou, 1928 - 2014

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 **** 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.

43

It's been a while No more words Amazing the effect that has I don't care I won't be crushed No, I won't. But isn't that the tragedy of it all? How all of this world spins on games And sassiness Money and irony Along with ***** skills. All of that is great But it builds these walls so high You think they've gone down Till you bleed your head on the sharp bricks As they fall, heavy, into your lap Staining you skin and your clothes As it seeps into you Then grinds you back into the ground Back into your home But I don't want to go! And on goes the grinding sound of those walls Coming ever closer With control.

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Mar 25, 2013

Mar 25, 2013 at 12:38 AM UTC

alexandra-of-old

With control

It's been a while No more words Amazing the effect that has I don't care I won't be crushed No, I won't. But isn't that the tragedy of it all? How all of this world spins on games And sassiness Money and irony Along with ***** skills. All of that is great But it builds these walls so high You think they've gone down Till you bleed your head on the sharp bricks As they fall, heavy, into your lap Staining you skin and your clothes As it seeps into you Then grinds you back into the ground Back into your home But I don't want to go! And on goes the grinding sound of those walls Coming ever closer With control.

24

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.

0

Jul 11, 2018

Jul 11, 2018 at 7:17 AM UTC

tapan-susheel

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.

12

My daughter is 16 and thinks that she is a grown lady, the sassiness in her steps, the stares and smirks in the bathroom mirror, rosy fleshed cheeks chipper and glowing bright, as she dances and spins around like the wheels of a moving vehicle. I can see the upbeat swag in her hips, the iridescent charm in her flow, how her caramel brown skin glistens like the sun, like a sparkling diamond in the moonlight. And as she twirls her lustrous curly hair, I can hear her soft voice singing Brandy’s song, Sittin On Top Of The World, pure sweet harmonies rising in the air towards a sea of uncharted dreams. There’s the dazzle in her bright brown eyes, serene gleam and glossy red lipstick she tries to hide from me. Her mind is ahead of its time like the tremendous trees that stands in the background filled with so much knowledge and depth. But a part of me worries that she is becoming a young woman too soon. Some days when I’m home polishing the furniture and she walks in through the screen door, I can see the radiance and flirtatious grin in her frame, those various boys that got her losing her mind like a kingdom falling apart piece by piece. And when I try to talk to her, there’s the smart remarks that rises out of her mouth. Who do she think I am? She must not know that she is not too old to get an old-fashioned whipping. Back in the days when I was a teenager and we talked back to our parents, that was grounds for an absolute beat-down, the kind that had a stinging sensation of blazing rhythms, a swollen space of broken waves. Still, I understood the meaning behind those times, the many days when my parents showed me tough love in hopes that I would bloom into a blossoming woman. And now as I stare at my baby girl, I can only hope that she too will blossom into a beautiful flower.

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Dec 16, 2018

Dec 16, 2018 at 4:44 PM UTC

travis-green

Growing Up

My daughter is 16 and thinks that she is a grown lady, the sassiness in her steps, the stares and smirks in the bathroom mirror, rosy fleshed cheeks chipper and glowing bright, as she dances and spins around like the wheels of a moving vehicle. I can see the upbeat swag in her hips, the iridescent charm in her flow, how her caramel brown skin glistens like the sun, like a sparkling diamond in the moonlight. And as she twirls her lustrous curly hair, I can hear her soft voice singing Brandy’s song, Sittin On Top Of The World, pure sweet harmonies rising in the air towards a sea of uncharted dreams. There’s the dazzle in her bright brown eyes, serene gleam and glossy red lipstick she tries to hide from me. Her mind is ahead of its time like the tremendous trees that stands in the background filled with so much knowledge and depth. But a part of me worries that she is becoming a young woman too soon. Some days when I’m home polishing the furniture and she walks in through the screen door, I can see the radiance and flirtatious grin in her frame, those various boys that got her losing her mind like a kingdom falling apart piece by piece. And when I try to talk to her, there’s the smart remarks that rises out of her mouth. Who do she think I am? She must not know that she is not too old to get an old-fashioned whipping. Back in the days when I was a teenager and we talked back to our parents, that was grounds for an absolute beat-down, the kind that had a stinging sensation of blazing rhythms, a swollen space of broken waves. Still, I understood the meaning behind those times, the many days when my parents showed me tough love in hopes that I would bloom into a blossoming woman. And now as I stare at my baby girl, I can only hope that she too will blossom into a beautiful flower.

45

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies You may tres 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 am waking like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room Just like moons and like stars With the certainty of tides Just like hopes springing high Still I rise Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling like teardrops Weakened by my soulful cries? Does my haughtiness upset you? Don’t take it awful hard ‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines Diggin’ in my backyard 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 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 Out from a past that’s rooted in pain I Rise I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide Welling and swelling I bear the tide Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I Rise Into daybreak that’s wonderfully clear I Rise Bringing the gifts my ancestors gave I am the dream and the hope of the slave I Rise I Rise I Rise

0

Mar 25, 2019

Mar 25, 2019 at 8:41 PM UTC

AnyaRose

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies You may tres 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 am waking like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room Just like moons and like stars With the certainty of tides Just like hopes springing high Still I rise Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling like teardrops Weakened by my soulful cries? Does my haughtiness upset you? Don’t take it awful hard ‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines Diggin’ in my backyard 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 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 Out from a past that’s rooted in pain I Rise I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide Welling and swelling I bear the tide Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I Rise Into daybreak that’s wonderfully clear I Rise Bringing the gifts my ancestors gave I am the dream and the hope of the slave I Rise I Rise I Rise

43