You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies.

You may try to distort the truth and paint a false picture of me, hoping to smear my name and reputation.

You may trod me down in the very dirt,

as if I am nothing but a worthless piece of trash.

You may think that by stomping on me, you can keep me down and prevent me from rising.

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

No matter how hard you try to push me down, I will not be defeated.

I will rise above your lies and your attempts to bring me down.

I will prove to you that I am stronger than you think, and that I will not be silenced or forgotten.

I will rise like dust in the wind, unyielding and unwavering, and I will make my mark on history.

Maya Angelou was an amazing woman. I say this based purely on her poems, which I listened to her recite on audiobook.

This giant of a woman (she liked calling people she admires giants, so I use her words) is full of love. She loves men and women, her black community, and life itself.

From the audiobook, I know she was happy and laughed often. But her poems alone tell me she had a hunger for life, and something tells me she lived it fully. She writes softly, with compassion, without anger.

That being said, her poems have a hidden truth. Sometimes it's just a feeling you're left with, of something terrible that has happened to her.

From what I gathered, I suspect she might have suffered rape when she was young, maybe even as a child, and been beaten multiple times. It's just a hunch, nothing more. But I am sure this woman knew pain from men, physical pain, yet kept loving them.

Her poems are warm, and a lot of the time happy. But almost all of them feel like there's something under the surface, something bad.

She celebrated in more than one poem, her womanhood, her sexiness, her femininity. Sometimes her poems are teasing and a little naughty, and it's magnificent.

She was a magnificent woman, a true inspiration. Her words have the power to touch our hearts and souls, and make us see the world in a different light.

**Original Article**: This is a short article. It needs to be rewritten and expanded.

**Expanded Article**:

This is a rather concise article.

It is in need of being rewritten and expanded to provide more detailed and comprehensive information.

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So, let's get started on rewriting and expanding this article to make it more useful and interesting for the readers.

I was truly compelled to read this for school.

It was not something I had chosen on my own, but rather a requirement that was imposed upon me.

At first, I was not very enthusiastic about it. I thought it might be boring or difficult to understand.

However, as I started reading, I began to realize that there was more to it than I had initially thought.

The words on the page started to come alive, and I found myself getting drawn into the story or the ideas being presented.

Even though it was a task assigned by the school, I ended up learning a lot from it.

It broadened my knowledge and perspective, and made me think about things in a different way.

In the end, I was glad that I was forced to read this, as it turned out to be a valuable experience.

I have an unwavering love for this book and its author. The reason behind this is that I find her to be an extremely inspirational figure.

In this remarkable book lies the key to my inner strength. It is not just "Phenomenal Woman," which I consider to be an amazing poem and one of my all-time favorites. "And Still I Rise" is also an outstanding example of how life persists.

I often face obstacles that hold me back, and I struggle through various difficulties. However, I still continue to move forward. This should indeed be the motto for every woman in the world. AND STILL I RISE.

We should all take inspiration from these powerful words and let them guide us through the challenges of life. No matter what comes our way, we should rise above it and keep going.

Such an expressive book! It is truly a remarkable piece of work that is filled to the brim with deep feelings and harsh reality. The author has masterfully crafted a story that not only tugs at the heartstrings but also forces the reader to confront the unvarnished truth of the world. Every page is filled with vivid descriptions and powerful emotions that draw the reader in and keep them engaged from beginning to end. Whether it's the joyous moments of love and friendship or the heart-wrenching scenes of loss and despair, this book captures the full spectrum of human experience. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to be moved, inspired, and enlightened by a truly great work of literature.

Maya Angelou is one of my favorite poets, and her works are truly remarkable. One of her best collections is filled with powerful and thought-provoking poems. Reading her words is a great experience, but listening to her recite them is even better. Her voice has a unique charm that brings the poems to life and puts the listener in a better state of mind.

Dr. Angelou was a multi-talented writer, known for her work as a playwright, poet, actress, and memoirist. Although her autobiography, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," is her most celebrated work, she considered herself a poet first. She wrote over 11 volumes of poetry, and this particular volume may be her most famous. It contains some of her most quoted poems, such as the title poem, and has been consistently anthologized.

The audiobook of this collection is a bit of a mystery. Recorded between the 1990s and the 2000s, it only contains 13 of the 32 poems in the printed book. However, the poems that are included are still great, and we get to hear Dr. Angelou's storytelling and reciting abilities on full display. One bonus of the audiobook is the commentary, in which she shares the stories behind the poems and her thoughts on them.
One of the reasons I love this audiobook is the poet's insight on the rhyme and rhythm of the poems. While meter can be used to some extent when reading, hearing how the poet imagines the piece gives us a lot of priceless context and helps us understand the meaning better. This volume of poetry explores the inner life of people, their dignity in the face of both hard and good times. It seems to come from an ancient place of the psyche but has a modern and everlasting message. Overall, it is a wonderful collection that I highly recommend.

The poems in this collection, such as "On Aging" and "Ain't That Bad," are both moving and inspiring. "On Aging" speaks to the importance of self-reflection and not pitying oneself in the face of old age. "Ain't That Bad" celebrates the beauty and strength of black culture and the people who embody it. These poems, along with others like "Still I Rise," are testaments to Dr. Angelou's talent and her ability to capture the human experience in a powerful and profound way.

In conclusion, Maya Angelou's poetry is a gift to the world. Her words have the power to inspire, uplift, and make us think. Whether you read her poems or listen to her recite them, you are sure to be moved by her talent and her message. I encourage everyone to explore her work and discover the beauty and wisdom within.

Coup de coeur absolu pour la "loud voice" de Maya Angelou.

It is an absolute love at first sight for the "loud voice" of Maya Angelou. Her works are meant to be read aloud!

Mes favoris : évidemment Still I rise, mais aussi Remembrance, Phenomenal Woman, Willie, et On aging sur la vieillesse.

My favorites are, of course, Still I rise, but also Remembrance, Phenomenal Woman, Willie, and On aging about old age. Each of these poems is a gem, expressing deep emotions and powerful messages.

L'édition bilingue apporte vraiment quelque chose : même si tout n'est pas forcément accessible en anglais, la VO apporte un support pour mieux comprendre le propos du traducteur (expliqué en fin de recueil) et saisir toute la richesse de la plume si franche de Maya Angelou.

The bilingual edition really brings something special. Even if not everything is necessarily accessible in English, the original version provides support for better understanding the translator's intention (explained at the end of the collection) and grasping all the richness of Maya Angelou's frank pen. It allows readers to experience her works in both languages and appreciate the nuances and beauty of her writing.

4 stars
★★★★

I have an intense passion for reading and annotating these poems.

Maya Angelou was an absolute literary genius. Her talent for writing was truly remarkable.

Her words have the power to touch the deepest corners of our hearts and souls.

As I read her poems, I am transported to different worlds, experiencing a wide range of emotions.

The way she weaves words together, creates vivid images, and conveys profound meanings is simply astonishing.

Annotating her poems allows me to delve deeper into her thoughts and ideas, uncovering hidden layers of significance.

Maya Angelou's work will continue to inspire generations to come, and I feel truly privileged to have the opportunity to engage with her beautiful poetry.

And still she rises. This powerful phrase encapsulates the indomitable spirit of a woman who refuses to be held down by the challenges and obstacles that come her way. She is a force to be reckoned with, a symbol of strength and perseverance.

Despite facing numerous hardships, she continues to move forward with grace and determination. Her courage is an inspiration to all those around her, and her ability to rise above adversity is truly remarkable.

She knows that life is not always easy, but she refuses to let that stop her from achieving her goals. She believes in herself and her abilities, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.

And still she rises, higher and higher, reaching for the stars and never looking back. She is a shining example of what it means to be a strong and empowered woman in today's world.

**"And Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou: A Powerful Poetic Legacy**

"And Still I Rise" is Maya Angelou's third volume of poetry, published by Random House in 1978. It emerged during a highly productive phase of her career. By then, she had penned three autobiographies and published two other poetry volumes. Angelou saw herself as both a poet and a playwright, yet she was best known for her seven autobiographies, especially the first one, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Her poetry, too, had found success. Early in her writing career, she alternated between publishing an autobiography and a volume of poetry. Although her poetry collections were best-sellers, they didn't receive the serious critical attention they perhaps deserved.

This volume consists of 32 poems, divided into three parts. Part One includes poems like "Touch Me, Life, Not Softly" and "Phenomenal Woman". Part Two has works such as "Junkie Monkey Reel" and "Woman Work". Part Three features the iconic poem "Still I Rise". The poem "Still I Rise" is a powerful anthem of resilience and defiance. It begins with the lines "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." Angelou's words in this poem convey a sense of unwavering strength and the refusal to be defeated by the hardships and prejudices of the world.

Maya Angelou was a remarkable figure. Born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, and passing away on May 28, 2014, she was a poet, singer, memoirist, actress, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several volumes of poetry, and had an extensive list of plays, films, and television shows that she had written over more than fifty years. She received many prestigious awards and over fifty honorary degrees. Her first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, published in 1969, told the story of her life up to the age of seventeen and brought her international fame and acclaim. Angelou's work continues to inspire and touch the hearts of people around the world.

Poetry really isn’t my thing.

I have always found it a bit challenging to understand and appreciate. However, I decided to read this particular collection of poems because I wanted to explore something from the year I was born.

As I delved into the pages, I came across a variety of poems. Some of them I simply didn't like. Their themes or styles didn't resonate with me at all.

There were also some that I just didn't understand. The language and imagery seemed too complex or abstract for my comprehension.

But to my surprise, there were some really good ones too. These poems had a certain charm and beauty that captured my attention.

They managed to convey emotions and ideas in a way that made me think and feel.

Despite my initial reservations, reading these poems from the year I was born has been an interesting experience.

It has shown me that poetry can be diverse and that there is something for everyone, even if it takes a bit of effort to find it.