Rise

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

The above lines are from the first verse of ‘Still I rise’ - one of Maya Angelou's most popular poems. It brings along the imagery of a soaring bird. Its flight may arouse envy but such negativity will not stop it from rising. Even if pulled down and fettered, it will rise after freeing itself of the shackles.

The poem pulls up those who condemned the blacks as slaves. Though it has a defiant tone, it is also a beacon of optimism. It is an empowering expression of the struggle to overcome prejudice and discrimination. For those who understand the meaning of repeated wrongdoing, the poem becomes a motivational anthem.

The verse sends out a clear message of hopefulness. No matter the setback, there is always hope to cling on to. It inspires to lift your head against adversity. Hatred, injustice and greed cannot be killed but that must not stop you from rising and fighting. Even when crushed in the dirt, like dust one can rise.

We must not allow unfair setbacks to demotivate our progress. The right ones, even when wronged, must strive to set things right. The task may be huge, but the wrong will be first undone by the hope-empowered belief to keep doing everything necessary to eventually rise!

Rise with belief in hope…

Unknot the fettered rope!

~ Pravin K Sabnis