I rise
you may taunt, torment and terrorise me with mocking eyes, lies, criticise.
You may make up demeaning lies or push me down into the dirt, but, like butterflies,
I rise.
Just like rainbows passing by in the sky, with the conviction of sunset,
like knowledge and belief flying high, still,
I rise.
Did you want to destroy me with your bitter twisted lies?
Breakdown before your eyes?
Shoulders droop like terrorised soldiers?
Engulf my depressing cries?
On the surface crawling, still going,
I rise.
Bounding, flashing, crashing,
I rise.
I’m an army being invaded in war, I’m a castle preparing for battle,
My strength mighty in size
I rise.
Leaving behind years of terror and demise,
I rise.
Stepping into a galaxy that dreams throughout me, I rise.
From my mother who raised me I bear the right,
I am the dream, the stream, the power of my might
I rise,
I rise,
I rise.

A poem inspired by Maya Angelou