Still I Rise

The original version of "Still I Rise" was written by Maya Angelou, and it was reading and listening to hers which inspired this version of ours written in 2021. 

Still I Rise

You can fill a hole with rocks and sand and soil

But still, like lava from a volcano, I rise

You can leave me in the desert with nothing,

But still, like a sandstorm, I rise

You can demonise me and lock me in darkness

But still, like the morning sun, I rise

You can accuse me of what I haven’t done

But still, like true justice, I rise

You can be unwelcoming, unfair and unjust

But still, like a beautiful tomorrow, I rise

You can put me down by your words today

But still, like the glowing sun, I rise

You can fail to care about the aftermath of your actions

But still, like the spring tides, I rise

You can make me scream and writhe in pain

But still, like the bright full moon, I rise

You can point a thousand guns at me

But still, like a million dreams, I rise

You can trample me underfoot like boots on muddy ground

But still, like spring flowers, I rise

You can tear me apart and put me in a fire

But still, like a phoenix from the flames, I rise

https://youtu.be/OaI0mwQKAFY?si=bJxkRXsUOaHg6NTr

We have used this poem on several school visits to help children and young people explore what it means to have to seek sanctuary and still be able to stay strong enough to survive and rise again. 

This version was written by year 4 pupils from Abbey RC Primary School:

You can say I’ve got limits

But still, like a moving lift, I rise

You can leave me all alone

But still, like my eyes reach the universe, I rise

You can drag me down with your actions and words

But still, like an angel of hope, I rise

You can turn the world against me

But still, like my thoughts, I rise

You can cover my light

But still, like the shimmering galaxy, I rise

You can torture me with your words

But still, like a burning flame, I rise

You can throw me to the ground

But still, like a dove, I rise

You can be unaccepting

But still, like the stars, I rise

You can shatter me like glass

But still, like the mountains, I rise

You can question my strength

But still, like a blazing spirit, I rise

You can tear me down

But still, like justice, I rise