Poem Inspired by Maya Angelou

I had to write this poem in my African American Literature class at the end of the semester. Inspired by “And Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou.

I really like this Maya Angelou quote and her writing overall is beautiful:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – MA

Still, I am here

Fallen out of love with myself
Bluer than two-day death
Not at peace with my fear
Still, I am here

Children left to die in the name of
Our God of green greed
People abandoned in their hour of need
Still, I plant a seed

Forgotten what to write, but never out of things to say
Emotions running lost, Earth running around sun rays
I’ve never been one to pray
Still, I am thankful for today

My Grandfathers are in the ground
But my Grandmother’s minds are sound
Ancestors looking in four directions, I love them all
When I listen, I can hear them call

The Imperfections of the World
Tell beautiful stories
I wonder why must we hate each other?
I am thankful for my mother

Don’t they know they hate their brother?
Sisters, and fathers, and mothers, and children
Innocent souls who aren’t born into sin, sin is a choice
Free will is using my voice

I dreamed of metamorphosis
The caterpillar my spirit animal
And though we’re always changing
For better or for worse, still I am here

I don’t know if my soul juice will last forever
Or if my atoms will one day be destroyed
Here and now I have people to care for
So I think I’ll stick around some more

I will die, and my body will decay
And all my love and all my sorrow will fade away
But my ideas can live on, if there is someone to hear
That still, I am here