# Maya Angelou

- Quotes: 19
- Author page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou

## Books

- [And Still I Rise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise.md) — 7 quotes
- [I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/i-know-why-the-caged-bird-sings.md) — 6 quotes
- [I Shall Not Be Moved](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/i-shall-not-be-moved.md) — 5 quotes
- [Phenomenal Woman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/phenomenal-woman.md) — 1 quote

## Recently added quotes

> I have need of a friend.There is one and only one
>
> who will give the air
>
> from his failing lungs
>
> for my body's mend.And that one is my love.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/i-shall-not-be-moved/i-have-need.md)

> 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.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise/leaving-behind-nights.md)

> 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?

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise/does-my-sexiness.md)

> Visit us again, Savior.Your children, burdened with
>
> disbelief, blinded by a patina
>
> of wisdom,
>
> carom down this vale of
>
> fear. We cry for you
>
> although we have lost
>
> your name.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/i-shall-not-be-moved/visit-us-again.md)

> Many people wonder where my secret lies,
>
> I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model size.
>
> When I try to show them they think I'm telling lies.
>
> I say, it's in the reach of my arms,
>
> the span of my hips,
>
> the stride of my step,
>
> the curl of my lips I'm Woman,
>
> Phenominally .
>
> I walk in a room just as cool as you please,
>
> And to a man the fellows stand,
>
> or fall down on their knees.
>
> And then they swarm around me; a hive of honey bees.
>
> I say,
>
> oh it's the fire in my eyes,
>
> the flash of my teeth,
>
> the swing in my waist,
>
> the joy in my feet.
>
> Men themselves have wondered what they see in me.
>
> They try so much but they can't touch my inner mystery.
>
> When I try to show them they say they still can't see.
>
> I say oh, it's in the arch of my back.
>
> And now you understand just why my head's not bowed.
>
> I don't shout or jump about,
>
> or have to talk too loud.
>
> When you see me walking out it ought to make you proud.
>
> I say it's in the click of my heels.
>
> The bend of my hair.
>
> The palm of my hands.
>
> The need for my care,
>
> because I'm a woman.
>
> Phenomenally.
>
> Phenomenal Woman.
>
> That's my mother,
>
> and all your mothers.
>
> And then my grandmothers.
>
> And all your grandmothers.
>
> And my great grandmothers,
>
> And all your great grandmothers.
>
> And my great great great,
>
> And all your great great...
>
> And all you women here,
>
> And me.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/phenomenal-woman/many-people-wonder.md)

> 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.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise/you-may-shoot.md)

> Petulant priests, greedy
>
> centurions, and one million
>
> incensed gestures stand
>
> between your love and me.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/i-shall-not-be-moved/petulant-priests-greedy.md)

> You were a precious pearl
>
> How I loved to see you shine,
>
> You were the perfect girl.
>
> And you were mine.
>
> For a time.
>
> For a time.
>
> Just for a time.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise/you-were-a-precious.md)

> We grow despite the
>
> horror that we feed
>
> upon our own
>
> tomorrow.
>
> We grow.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/i-shall-not-be-moved/we-grow-despite.md)

> I went to sleep last night
>
> And I arose with the dawn,
>
> I know that there are others
>
> Who're still sleeping on,
>
> They've gone away,
>
> You've let me stay,
>
> I want to thank You.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise/i-went-to-sleep.md)

> 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.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise/you-may-write.md)

> 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.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise/out-of-the.md)