Still I Rise

You may throw me on the ground

And kick me in the dirt

You may pound me with sticks 

And watch me cry as I hurt

You may write me in the books 

With your twisted, bitter lies

And blow me away like dust

As you happily wave goodbye

Unlike you, there is nothing to hide

You've seen it all, my dead and my proud side

I am happy and content 

With the way you've treated me

Because even though

Im wrinkled and torn

Tired and worn

Bruised and beaten 

Mentally eaten 

Scratched and scarred 

I still reach for the stars 

And rise up.