A Poem, My Thoughts, And A Dare

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 hauntiness 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 surprize

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 the daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing gifts that ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise.

I rise.

I rise.

This is a poem NOT by Lewis Carrol, but by Maya Angelou (shocked? I thought you might).  I have to admit I like this poem a lot.  As for what my thoughts on it I think it is not only her standing up to someone, but is breaking away from the crowds.  Often times it seems like if we are to be liked at all, or to have any friends, we must act like everyone else, but the truth is is that we don't have to.  In fact, one of the only ways to get REAL friends, that will love you and support you, is to be the REAL you. So, I have a dare for you all this week.  See someone who looks left out, and looks like they would want to be your friend?  Go and talk to them, and get to know them.  Even if it is for a short while, just spend some time with them, because honestly, they are most likely having problems with trying to be themselves.  What better way to help them but give them the chance to show who they are, and to show that you care about what they think?  Also, if you or someone else is being picked on for being themselves, don't be afraid to stand up to them and say that there's nothing wrong with being yourself.  Not only will doing these things help you and the people around you, but if you are a christian like me, this is a perfect way to show God's love.  So, I believe that's all.  Have a great, REAL week!