I was married a few times, and one of my husbands was jealous of me writing.

You may write me down in historyWith your bitter, twisted lies,You may trod me in the very dirtBut still, like dust, I'll rise.

The idea is to write it so that people hear it and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart.

I was born in St. Louis but lived there just for a few minutes in my life.

Just as hope rings through laughter, it can also shine through tears.

I don't know how much longer I'll be around. I'll probably be writing when the Lord says, 'Maya, Maya Angelou, it's time.'