I Too, Still Rise
In response to “Still I Rise,” by Maya Angelou

You may bend me until I break,
Before your very eyes,
You may leave me sulking in your wake,
But still, like smoke, I’ll rise

Does my confidence upset you?
Why are you dismayed?
‘Cause I walk like I am the leader
Marching in a brigade.

Just like stars and like clouds,
Circling surely in the sky,
Just like just like the steam, floating high,
Still I rise.

Do you want to see me defeated?
Broken spirit and heavy heart?
Sobbing and silent,
Very world ripping apart?

Does my cleverness offend you?
Don’t you worry about that too much
‘Cause I dance like I’ve got rubies and gold
In my very clutch.

You may stab me with your rumors,
You may break me with your lies,
You may kill me with your disdain,
But still, like heat, I’ll rise

Does my happiness upset you?
Does it dismay you still?
‘Cause I live like I could pluck crystals
From my windowsill

Out of the dust of my competitor’s wake
I rise
For my ancestor’s sake
I rise
I’m a fierce predator, stalking and silent,
Sneaking with stealth, I may be violent

Leaving my past behind
I rise
I am no longer confined
I rise
Now I am free,
To be what I’ll be
I rise
I rise
I rise.