Still I Rise

            The great African-American writer/poet, Maya Angelou wrote a poem titled, “Still I Rise”.  I find inspiration in this poem.  Angelou shared how her confidence allowed her to overcome anything that was thrown at her.  She was a strong woman, but she was forced to overcome so much. Angelou proudly stood in the face of her trials, rising time and time again.  

            While struggling with illnesses is a different trial than Angelou faced, I feel like I find strength in her words. Depression and cancer are my trials.  I face them each day.  I must rise above them despite the difficulty.

            Angelou writes, 

 

“…Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear

I rise…”

 

            These words strike me.  When depression and cancer fill me with fear that I will not win the battle, I must rise.  I must fight.  It is through fighting that I can live.  It is not easy to rise when fighting illness, but I must have faith in my own strength. There is a video of Maya Angelou reciting her poem.  The certainty in her voice and the smile on her face serve as encouragement for me.  

            There is hope in Angelou’s poem.  I think as a person with depression and cancer, I can use this poem as motivation.  Maybe I should have it printed and framed as a reminder that I can do hard things.  I can fight my illnesses.  I can rise each day and live.  

            Depression and cancer have power, but I have strength within me.  I have been fighting depression since my early teens.  My battle with cancer has been seven months so far, but it has been intense.  I lean into Angelou’s words, “still I rise.”  Each day that I am here battling, I am winning.  I am living.  I am rising.

            Angelou is an inspiration.  I encourage you to read her poem and find strength in it.  The written word has power.  She captured a piece of human power in this poem.  By sharing her strength, she helps others to find their strength.  Whether you face illness or some other trial, “Still I Rise” provides hope.

If you would like to read the poem, here is a link: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46446/still-i-rise

 

            You can watch Maya Angelou recite her poem here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qviM_GnJbOM

Credit: "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou