Still I Rise Inside

You aimed at my life, you knew where to break Called it the truth, but it felt like a stake You wanted me weak, you wanted me small You thought I would fade, you thought I would fall You took what I had, piece after piece Names and faces, my sense of peace But in the dark, when nothing replied Something stayed strong, deep inside You took the noise You took the shine Left me alone With what was mine You tried to ruin my life You made me strong You tried to take all I had You proved me wrong I’m not rich in gold or pride I’m rich in the strength inside You tried to ruin my life But I’m still alive You wanted my ground, you wanted my voice Every silence, every choice You counted my losses, one by one Certain the war was already won But weight teaches bones how to stand Fire teaches shape to the hand I didn’t run, I didn’t hide I stayed right here, and grew inside You took the mask You took the lies Left me with truth And open eyes You tried to ruin my life You made me strong You tried to take all I had You proved me wrong I’m not rich in gold or pride I’m rich in the strength inside You tried to ruin my life But I’m still alive I don’t need revenge I don’t need your name What survived in me Outlived the flame You meant the end You built the start You broke my hands But not my heart You tried to ruin my life Now I stand tall You took what I had But not my soul