I die and die

I wander

And fly

Dead body walking

Above the sky

Sad heart bleeding 

Aching and fry

Can you tell if I lie? 

I die and die

I wander

And fly 

I hide and deny

But I never

Ever lie

Even though

I don't tell

When I cry

I am

splashes of red 

worn in the confidence of lips and dresses

pulsing in the heart that was born fiery and endless 

I am

Spring's delicate shade of green appearing as if by magic 

reminding you of what it is to be born again

I am 

the canopy of blue that blankets you

the restless hue that invites you 

to drown in my sea 

I am 

black and grey 

storming on your horizon 

light's dark companion 

daring you to know beauty without deprivation 

I am 

bright bold colors ripping through your darkest moments 

The feverish jungle, a bungalow binge,

And the apes of the valley delight.

Amassing their arson, the parsons all cringe 

As the napes of their necks feel the bite.

Oh holy banana, the manna of trees,

As the fleas seem to hop on along

Infighting, igniting the apes that are biting 

Those bees as they sing of King Kong.

A hundred feet tall is the wall of the men

And a sinful release of the spear

Escaping the bin of the hundred foot spin

Thus applying their lying with cheer.

"Ah-ooh-ah," goes an ape as the head of the shape 

Of the stone spear endangers its spark.

And some other dumb fool in his foolhardy drape

Absolutely 'ooh-ah's' his remark.

The natives are restless, confessions debate 

All the while the apes gather their dead.

Subordinate clause in the claws of their fate,

And a villager loses his head.

Removed from the neck as the bees start to check

Acclimating, debating design.

As a hive, they survive, a revival on deck

For they sing as they sting, "Apes are fine!"

A thousand or more in the chore of the sores

And the numbering, slumbering sloth 

Awakens to aid in displayed forest floors

As the bees and the fleas gel as broth.

The African sonnet of bees in the bonnet 

And apes on the Cape Horn of nine

Combine in the shrine of the mine blowing pine

As the fleas stop and drop kick the sign.

The sloth calls aloud in the crowd of the  shroud 

And a lion out of Zion appears.

The jungle's own king comes to cling; the bees sting 

As he strengthens the villagers' fears.

"Away with your play and your villainous way!

Now away, or I say you will die!"

The roar echoed more as the lion on display 

Offered each human there in his cry.

The apes and the fleas and the bees in the drape 

Of the canopy stopped, held in awe.

The sloth, on his knees, bowed and plowed the disease 

As the humans all fled what they saw.

"The law of the jungle, for all- even fungal- 

The growth underneath the dead leaves-

Must never be broken as these words are spoken

Alas, mother ape, now she grieves ...

The humans are fuming; a vengeance is blooming 

Until they destroy every land.

Avoid at all costs their ridiculous frost

For the winter lives on in their hand.

We all have united; the spirit delighted; 

And the forest exalts us in joy.

Now go on, safely roam; travel deep in our home

For the menace the humans employ 

Has been seen o'er and o'er in mischievous lore

And I doubt it will not take them long

To return to this place with a hate spilling face 

So we must all now pray to King Kong."

The feverish jungle, a bungalow's bray,

And the apes and the bees and the fleas

And the sloth, on their knees, join the lion as they please

And to King Kong they bow long and pray.

How do I fit you into this world of mine when you come with that world of yours

Comfortably

Sometimes with difficulty 

We will fit gentle breaths between quickened heartbeats 

And smiles between laughs

And children between hands 

And we will fill the space between with us

You'd always cursed my existence

Thought me weak and fragile,

To keep me imprisoned,doing the house chores harsh or cruel

But still like phoenix ,I'll rise.

Does my power upset you?

Why are you dejected?

'Cause I rise like I was meant to

Craving since eternity.

Like the constant day and night,

Polar star n darkness behind,

Still like the bird of ashes ,I will rise.

Do you want to see me broken?

Lost hopes and tearful eyes?

Bowed head and shattered dreams.

Weakened by the bars of time.

Does my wittiness upset you?

Don't you take it way too hard

'Cause I laugh at my own self

Still I have to travel so far.

You may cut me down with your words,

Or see me as a curse,

You may want to kill me instantly,

But still like a warm wind, I'll rise.

Do my achievements upset you?

Does it come to you as a surprise

That I am equal to 10 sons

That has waited all this while?

Out of nature's pride

I rise

Up from a dreadful past that's set in gloom 

I rise

I'm the deepest sea ,leaping and roaring

Leaving behind the pieces of grey

I rise

I rise

I rise.

-akanksha29

#classicpoem #ProseChallenge52

#twist #itslit

#moderninterpretation

#MayaAngelou P.S:This is how I think the classic poem 'Still I Rise' by Maya Angelou can be reinterpreted to suit the modern times.

Female infanticide in India has a history spanning century.A girl child is now welcomed in society who was in earlier times thought to be a sin and was hence doomed to live a hellish life.This powerful poem narrates of the changed scenario and is a shame to the society which made her suffer .She now leaves no stone unturned to rise and shine and is equivalent in all aspects to the man.

I love it when you're sleeping

And you reach out for me

When you pull me closely

Nowhere else I'd rather be

Your body pressed against me

Your warmth seeping across my skin 

Your hot kisses as your waking

Filling me within

As she lies there

Listening to her heart beat 

Among the banter of doubts 

She wonders 

If she can touch herself

As he touches her

Can she care for herself 

The way he cares for her

To take herself to heights unknown 

As he does 

Then he comes with kisses 

With a warm touch

Have faith my lovely

I am here 

My love is committed to you 

The fires of doubt are quenched