In the (albeit short) history of my blog, I've never posted two days running before. But today is International Women's Day, and yesterday was World Book Day. What can I say?...I'm a woman and I love books!
The UN theme for 2013 is 'A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women':
'There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.' ~ UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
This is a recurring theme - in 1999 it was 'World Free of Violence Against Women'; in 2007, 'Ending Impunity for Violence Against Women and Girls', and in 2009, 'Women and Men United to End Violence Against Women and Girls' (I liked the fact that men were mentioned in the title of that one).
I'm not holding my breath.
Yesterday I mentioned, and provided a link to one of my favourite poems . Today, in celebration of OUR day, here's the full, fabulous thing :)
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 haughtiness 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 surprise
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 a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
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 haughtiness 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 surprise
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 a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
Maya Angelou
For now,
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Beautiful, meaningful poem! Thanks for sharing, Lilli!
ReplyDeleteWe shall strive to make our lives better and never give up our self respect. We are the soul of the house and we are the ones who husbands embrace when they get back home from a hectic day...
Happy women's day! Be happy!
You're welcome Anna :)
DeleteThe world would not go round or continue on without women! Hope you've had a great week. Best wishes, Tammy
ReplyDeleteYou're right Tammy, women are the axis upon which the world revolves!
DeleteHave a lovely weekend :)