I'Ll Rise Poem by Femi Ademiluyi

You may write me down in history
with your bitter, twisted lies and game
you may toss me in the valley of dirt
like dust out of the huts of history's shame
I'll rise.


Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave
i am the dream and the hope of slaves
out of tears and sorrows bane
up from a past that's rooted in pain
I'll rise.


Do u want to see me broken?
with bowed head and lowered eyes
shoulders falling like tear drops
weakened by your persistent bitterness
I'll rise.


Does my haughtiness offend you?
don't you take it awfully hard?
cos i laugh like i have got a gold mine.
throw me down all you want
I'll rise.

You might shoot me with your words
you may cut me with your eyes
you may kill me in your heart with your hatefulness
but still like air
I'll rise.


I am a black ocean, leaping and wide
welling and swelling i bear in the tide
leaving behind nights of terror and fear
into a day break that is wondrously clear
I'll rise.