Figurative Language in Poetry

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

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.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.


1. How are the figurative language used in the poem? Give the specific word(s), explain what type of figurative language it is and why the poet chose to use this figurative language?
Hyperbole: I rise
Simile: like hopes springing high
2. Tell us why you like this poem in no less than 100 words.
I like the poem because it is wonderfully structured. The poem rhymes very well and it is very meaningful, it shows us the strong persistence of the author and that is where it is somewhat touching. Besides, although the poem is long, it is very easy to be understood. She also tells us that even though she may be defamed by someone, she will also remain persistent. The surrounding gives her the courage as said in the poem “Just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides, just like hopes springing high, still I'll rise.” The poem is indeed good, it teaches us to be persistent as well as describing to us the beauty of nature.