Still I rise + Our Beginning a New Ending (Modeling)

Still I Rise - 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 backyard.

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.

Our Beginning a New Ending- Tara Mangham

Let’s go back to the beginning
Back before your hatred and lies too
Before the betrayal ever took place
Before I decided our friendship, will fade

Was it my style, maybe my class
You’re dripping in despair
Yet I’ll keep coming back again and again
Like that boomerang you thought you lost there.

Just like we know spring has sprung,
Like we know those new little birds are here
Like how that oceanic tide comes back in June
I’ll keep returning, this feeling will fade.

You thought I’d become shattered, didn’t you?
With my head hanging and those sad, mournful cries
My body convulsing in heaving sobs
Made even worse by my heart slowly breaking with lies.

Does my attempted beauty make you hate me so?
Don’t think of it any certain way
Because I pretend I’ve got this figured out.
That I’m more beautiful than what the image in the mirror may say.

You may kill me with your glares
You may bash me with the hate you made
You may tear me down with your words
Those scars you leave though, they too will fade.

Does my courage upset you?
Does it take you by surprise?
That the shy and insecure girl
Can turn into someone beautiful filled with lies

Out of the smoldering ashes of our past
Those judgments will fade
You thought those rumors would always last
Those rumors will fade
I’m a tall and wispy willow tree, strong and free
I stand in the rain; I stand in the storm until I can’t stand no more.

Leaving behind the cowardice and cold
Those things will fade.
In place will come a bright sun- like gold
That horrible darkness will fade.
Slinging around that arrow and bow
I am the one who will push back the temptation with a loud “No!”
The hatred will fade.
The hurt will fade.
My sanity will fade.
Let’s all fade…
Into a wonderful dream.

3 Theme Poem - Sick

What time is it?
I think it’s dark outside.
I’m not quite sure though.
My mind feels hazy.
Like I chugged a bottle of vodka.
I might’ve.
I can’t quite remember.
My book is laying in front of me.
Just slightly out of reach.
The book is opened at the end.
Obviously the happily ever after part.
I wish to be the main character.
I wish to have friends.
I wish to love.
I’m tired of being alone.
Alone.
I’m too familiar with that term now.
Just one person take my hand.
Take it and never let me go.
My lips are quivering
Hands are shaking.
My knees are drawn up to my chest.
I’ve never felt more isolated.
Someone save me!
The tears are bitter
The smile forged
I’m sick of being alone.

The Hate. The Hurt. Forgotten - Performance Poetry

I can't believe you.
Thank you for building up my hopes,
my dreams,
Then watch as they slowly start crumbling

I can't stand to hear your name
It makes me think of the person you've become
I hate that person
This "new you"

Didn't you think things through before doing all of this?
What consequences there were?
Thanks for leaving me behind...
So that you could fulfill your selfish desires.

1) I believe that the type of voice is a hurting type of anger. I think it's slightly different from my normal voice but I think it works nicely in contrast.

2) The type of mood that I'll probably try and attempt with this poem is a

3) I'll assume that the 'moves' that I try to incorporate will try to be like a hurt lover, friend...etc. The anger's still there but yet you can't let go of the memories together.

4) I'd have to say that the most frightening thought about this poem is the movements. I'm easily embarassed and I have a feeling this project won't be any different. Add a bunch of moves to it and you'll have me as a nervous wreck. On a positive note, I do look forward to memorizing this poem I believe it's one of my better pieces.

5) Performance poetry tends to enhance the meaning of the poem by giving you a fairly good idea on how the poem is moving. Such as being within the poem, without truly being there. A dream I suppose...

Homeless Heart - Amanda Stott

Lonesome stranger
With a crowd around you
I see who you are

You joke, they laugh
Til the show is over
Then you fall so hard

If you're needing
A soul-to-soul connection
I'll run to your side

When you're lost in the dark
When you're out in the cold
When you're looking for something that resembles your soul
When the wind blows your house of cards
I'll be a home to your homeless heart

Open close me
Leave your secrets with me
I can ease your pain

And my arms will be
Just like walls around you
Come in from the rain

If you're running
In the wrong direction
I will lead you back

When you're lost in the dark
When you're out in the cold
When you're looking for something that resembles your soul
When the wind blows your house of cards
I'll be a home to your homeless heart

Broken
Shattered like a mirror
In a million pieces
Sooner or later
You've got to find
Something someone
To find you and save you

When you're lost in the dark
When you're out in the cold
When you're looking for something that resembles your soul
When the wind blows your house of cards
I'll be a home to your homeless heart

When you're looking for something that resembles your soul
When the wind blows your house of cards
I'll be a home to your homeless heart

I'll be a home to your homeless heart

Summary: Out of all of the songs that came to mind for this assignment, I think I feel the most connection towards this piece. In a way, it reminds me of who I aspire to be someday. Someone, who even though has been dealt a bad hand by fate, can continue picking herself for the sake of someone out there who isn't able to pick themselves back up. Someone who can give hope to those that are hopeless. That even though life can be pathetic and you may feel like you're just drowning in a pool of despair, that you can rely on somebody in this world to try and bring you back to the light because no one should have to do it alone. Sometimes, all we need is someone's input and a small word of encouragement to keep moving forward. People can make an impact on our lives. Whether it's good or bad only time will tell. Even if the experience is bad though, you learn a life long lesson from it. So, in short basically, keep striving to make a better future for yourself. Don't give up on the world yet, for even though it seems like it's filled with people who make your life miserable every day; keep remembering that there's someone out there, maybe you've met them already, or maybe you will meet each other in the future, they'll find you and save you from the darkness and just maybe you can save them from their own darkness too. That's why I chose this song, it was because it shows how people should treat each other. Maybe it only seems like a fantasy- but given time and effort, fantasies can easily be turned into realities.

Treasured Life (surreal)

The fresh sea air

Droplets of the large waves splashing your face

The beating sun redding your flesh

That be the way of their life.

Hidden treasures

Unknown enemies

Rocking back and forth

Not knowing when you'll be back.

Where are you?

Nothing to go by but the sea

The aquatic animals

The wind

Rocking back and forth

Cradle their bodies

Except if a storm hits

Man overboard!

Then the sun comes back out

Glazed eyes staring into the distance

You remember why you became a pirate

These beautiful moments where you see hidden cities

A sword clasped at your side

A reputation that follows you, no matter where you go

Your ship mates are your family

And only you can decide what to make of your life.

So steal those treasures,

Raise those anchors

Act first and think of your actions later

Take a deep breath

And show the world that you're fierce

One of those intimidating...

One of those strange...

One of those ruthless...

Pirates.

"Land ho!"

Courage (Sestina)

I stared at the wall and noticed the paper I’d torn.
The pieces that remained of my heart, to you they poured.
The darkness of my mind, to the surface it sprung.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt like I’d truly lived.
The envy that I once had turned to brittle green.
Come out, come out and brighten my life my dear one.

How many months have gone by without a smile? Two, maybe one?
My heart, my soul, my dignity is now torn.
The forest in my mind is turning a dark green.
You wanted this. My feelings, my thoughts, my desires, here they are outwardly poured.
If I betray your memory would you have actually lived?
From the recesses of my hidden desires are where these thoughts sprung.

They say you’ll know when spring has sprung.
They will know, I’m not the only one.
Would they notice if the love in my heart died or lived?
The love, the humanity, the sanity, they’re now threads, ripped and torn.
Remember the bond we once shared? That’s now just regret openly poured.
That regret, it’s festered, bubbled, and became puss filled with a lime green.

Paint over those dead dreams, those dead hopes, those dead desires a life living green.
We’ll fool all of them. They’ll think I’ve given in. That into me, the living hope sprung.
They won’t know it, but everything they see, is just the lies I sneakily poured.
How is it that I’m the only one?
Am I a horrible person? Is my heart and mind so shattered that they’re eternally torn?
Why am I the only one who’s so wretched but has for this long lived?

Who determines who’s died in the past and who’s lived?
Fields of bronze wheat, waters of deep blue, and the never-ending jungle of green.
Grass that was filled with the sense of calmness, the pieces people ripped and had torn.
Don’t let the darkness hurt anyone else. Bring happiness to places where it had sprung.
Maybe not everybody cares, but the world can change. Whoever can help, anyone!
The skies will open and water will reign down like a glass over poured.

Tranquilize me. Calm me. Let the chaos die, the tears will no longer be poured.
It’s time that I take my life seriously. I wouldn’t want to die without having actually lived
It only takes a moment to change who you are. Just one.
Fill my heart with love and plants of green.
I think it’s time to step back a bit and see the kindness that’s sprung.
Time to mend the broken hearts, the hopelessness, everything that was previously torn.

Let’s get lost in the green forest; the water that was poured helped nourish its beauty.
I can’t believe the hope lived and now the happiness has sprung.Were you the one? Is it because of you that things are no longer ripped and torn.

Short-Comings (apology)

Forgive me but my hair doesn't shine as brightly as hers. My lips aren't as big or as cherry-red stained as hers. My figure isn't an hourglass shape. And my voice doesn't sound like a choir of angels singing. I'm sorry that you could only see my faults, but you see her beauty- as fake as it may be. When I cry, I don't look pretty. My eyes turn red and puffy plus my make up smears and runs. My skin isn't flawless, with red blotches and a pasty pale color rather than a tan. I'm sure she doesn't have these problems. Most of all, I'm sorry that you couldn't see...The me that has some good in her. The me that I've become too scared to show now.
I trusted you.
Admired you.
Wanted you.
Begged for you to acknowledge me.
I’m sorry you weren’t able to notice
The good things about me.
Too late to make things right though.
Because I don’t want it anymore.

Liquid Eyeshadow (Observation)

Time to wake
My eyes itch and are watered up
I need to put on my face
You know, the one that’ll get me through another day
A streak of kohl black eyeliner
Make me beautiful
Slicking mascara to make my lashes long and fluttery
It’ll have to be good enough
Different color eye shadows everyday
Notice me
A slap of cold liquid foundation across my face
Please cover my pores and my blemishes
Please hide my insecurities
Hide my ugliness
Slide over my face like a mask
A beautiful mask
Unlike me
I can’t stand myself
Don’t look past my disguise
Just keep looking at my pretend selfThe one filled with beautiful lies.

I Am Me

I’m a hopeful woman
I’m an indecisive woman
I’m a daydreaming woman
I’m a poetry woman
I’m an insecure woman
I’m a southern woman
I’m a grit woman
I’m a waffle house woman
I’m an animal woman
I’m a Florida woman
I’m a children woman
I’m a smart woman
I’m a double-edged-sword woman
I’m a friendly woman
I’m a worried woman
I’m a Louisiana woman
I’m a Mardi Gras woman
I’m a choir woman
I’m a book and story woman
I’m a musical woman
I’m a scared woman
I’m a shy woman
I’m a Mississippi woman
I’m an ocean swimming woman
I’m a fireflies woman
I’m a nature woman
I’m a water woman
I’m a sunshine woman
I’m a rollerblading woman
I’m an advice giving woman

Apology Poem (Beautiful)

Forgive me but my hair doesn't shine as brightly as hers.
My lips aren't as big or as cherry-red stained as hers.
My figure isn't an hourglass shaped.
And my voice doesn't sound like a choir of angels singing.

I'm sorry that you could only see my faults
but you see her beauty- as fake as it may be.
When I cry, I don't look pretty.
My eyes turn red and puffy plus my make up runs.
My skin isn't flawless, with red blotches and a pasty pale color rather than tan.
I'm sure she doesn't have these problems.

Most of all, I'm sorry that you couldn't see...
The me that has some good in her.
Why can't you be like him?
He sees me and he wants me.
I think it's time I move on from you
to someone who's worth it.
Yeah, he's like my small piece of happiness.
Too bad you weren't able to notice that.

My Story

Our life;
What mysteries are hidden in the recesses of our mind?
What paths in life have we taken to make us who we currently are?
Different shadows are at every corner.
Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, depression, hate, and self-loathing.
A punch is thrown, and your confidence is gone.
Friends are made while others are lost.
Time is slowly slipping from our reach.
Which loves from our lives are broken?
A smile.
A kiss.
A hug.
Words are exchanged,
Feeling like you could conquer the world and everything it throws at you.
What secrets are shared with others?
What about the secrets that are still hidden from view?
A good grade. A failed class.
A game won. A relationship lost.
A new pet.
A birthday party.
Do the good outweigh the bad?
Vise-versa perhaps?
Maybe there’s a balance somewhere.
An amazing song that you sing along with.
Sleepovers.
Staying up late while watching the sunrise.
Walks after dark.
Swimming in the water on a warm summer’s day.
Drinking hot cocoa while your cheeks are flushed red from the cold.
Reading a story where you wish you could be the main character.
Adventures you’ve taken, that will last a lifetime.
Tears dripping down your face smearing your make-up as you say goodbye to someone you had once known.
Petty arguments between friends, then afterwards apologizing as you laugh about something ridiculous that happened that day.
We’re all growing up.
More life changing events will happen as the days go by.
Here's a life story,
What’s about yours?