Maya Angelou- "Still I Rise"

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.

Poetry doesn't catch my interest often, but this poem by Maya Angelou did. It's interesting by how she seems to be confronting racists and/or sexists. She stands alone, but seems that she'd be backed up by all women and all African Americans. Maya stands for the rights of women and the rights of blacks. She seems to be a tough women willing to fight if the need arises. This poem was deep. It has this alure to it that just sticks out and pulls you in to tell you that you can't knock her down. She will get up again. She will rise.

I'm not too fond of poetry as I've mentioned, but when I do find something or someone that has caught my attention then I read and read and read. I do like Maya Angelou, even though today is only the second day I've ever read her poetry. I hope to find more attention grabbing poems by her.

Pass it on...says Mrs. Moritz

It's very rare that I see or hear about people who actually give instead of take. It's amazing to hear that someone gave this christmas when they could have taken. Everyone is so interested in getting an ipod or xbox or psp or ps3 or someother technological device that is at the top of their christmas lists. Even though it's not thanksgiving, the time of giving, christmas can be the same...people should want to give to others what they don't want or need. The urge to take is just a sign of selfishness.

I used to be selfish, but isn't everyone once in their life?? I mean, what is it with people wanting and wanting and wanting?? Yes, I was like that, but I see that that's all people are like, and when it comes to those who are in need, they don't care. I've changed my way of thinking and wanted to be one who helped. I don't often show it, but I do help. It's a new way of living and people should try it sometime.

News and Poetry

"Life And Death"

A woman has given birth
President Ford died
Twin sons in Barcelona
Center of Capitol Rotunda
Condition of anonymity
Thousands pay their respects
New borns in incubators
Caskets on the bier
World's oldest mother
Nation's 38th President

It was 2006, now it's 2007 - FINALLY!

2006

I lived in Tennessee for 6 months...then moved here to New York for the last 6 months. It wasn't the best 6 months in TN, but as soon as I came here it got better. I guess the last 6 months of 2006 was the better half. I did what most 16 / 17-year-olds do. They party, hang out with the wrong people, get into it with the parents, and so on. But we all realize the bad, even though it's AFTER the fact, we still learn. In the mean time, I lost a brother...not physically, but emotionally. He turned out to be the exact same as the oldest of three, what should I expect though? I think all brothers can be your best friend, but they all end up being jerks in the end. The best thing about the previous year was when I met my boyfriend, David. I know most people don't believe that you can fall for someone so quick, but I have fallen for David and I hope this relationship lasts for as long as I'm alive. All along I've been waiting for the new year to arrive and....now....

HERE IT IS - 2007

It has arrived! Quicker than expected, but wanted all the same. I haven't made a resolution and don't particularly care to. I used to make resolutions like, eat healthier, stay in shape, and so on. But I've never really stuck to them for more than a week of two. So...I've decided there is no point in making a New Year's Resolution. This year will be different than the last though. I'LL BE GRADUATING IN JUNE! I've been waiting for that day for the longest time. I haven't decided whether I'm going to take a year off ( yes, I mean ONE year), or go straight to college in the fall. It's hard to choose because I have a boyfriend whom I don't want to lose, and a mother whom insists I should go in the fall. It's January and I have yet to hand in my apps for UB and ECC, and I don't think they'll accept anymore. Although, I do hope to go to college eventually. All I need is one year to save money so I CAN pay for my college. I, also, hope to move out of my house and move on to better places (maybe my boyfriend's house - hehe). Though, all 18-year-olds want to move out of there houses and get away from their parents, I really need to get out. I've waited and waited for that day to come and I'm sick of it. Six months is way too long.