STILL I RISE

BY IAN MANUEL

Like the American flag immortalized in Iwo Jima

after the bullets and the battle

Like a cake in the oven that wasn’t

supposed to make it out of the batter

Like the chest full of breath

that expands full of life

After its triumph over death

from Waterloo to the heights

Like a cloud in the river

before it releases rain

Like the skin over eyes

after awakening from a dream

Though you label me angry and mad

attempting to stick me with your stigmas

Your hatred doesn’t stagnate

the ascension of my potential

Though you set me aflame with your gas

painting me with your can

I laugh like the bird who knows

he’ll return from the ash

Though you robbed me of my youth

in a courtroom with a gavel

And buried me above ground

in a cell without a shovel

I rise like the water in the toilet

after flushing

Or the diamond from down under

that the dirt could no longer cover

Still I Rise!