Harlem
BY LANGSTON HUGHES
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Tag: Black History Month
Black History Month Post 2
Today’s Black History Month poet is James Baldwin.
No, I don’t feel death coming.
I feel death going:
having thrown up his hands,
for the moment.
I feel like I know him
better than I did.
Those arms held me,
for a while,
and, when we meet again,
there will be that secret knowledge
between us.
Day One of Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, I’ll be sharing poems by Black writers and poets. Today I offer up Saeed Jones’ “A Memory”. Mr. Jones is a contemporary poet who has won multiple awards. He is worth your time to explore. You can start by subscribing to his Substack. Now, here’s the poem.
A Memory
by Saeed Jones
When they finished burying me, what was left of me
sent up a demand like a hand blooming in the fresh dirt:
When I’m back, I want a body like a slash of lightning.
If they heard me, I couldn’t hear their answers.
But silence has never stopped me from praying.
Alive, how many nights did I spend knelt between
the knees of gods and men begging for rain, rent,
and reasons to remain? A body like the sky seeking
justice. A body like light reaching right down into the field
where you thought you could hide from me.
They’ve taken their bald rose stems and black umbrellas
home now. They’ve cooked for one another, sung hymns
as if they didn’t prefer jazz. I’m just a memory now.
But history has never stopped me from praying.
Today’s Black History Month Meditation: Saeed Jones
Mr. Jones launched into my view via Debbie Millman’s Design Matters podcast. His charm and ebullient manner shined brightly.
I find Saeed Jones’ work evocative and insightful. His meter and flow challenge me and my own work. I hope you find his work delightful too.
Today’s Black History Month Meditation: Kwame Dawes
This reminds of great advice given to me by myriad mentors: to become a better writer, read more, read deeply, delight in great writing.
To learn more about Kwame Dawes, check out his bio on Poetry Foundation.
Today’s Black History Month Meditation: Rita Dove
Great advice for the new poet…and for the old. Of course today we always have our phone with us, capturing our thoughts, poem scraps along with photos. There’s research supporting pen-and-paper’s superiority, for what that’s worth. Ultimately, the best solution is the one you use. As long as you’re confident in capturing your ideas, your brain can focus on creation.
Today’s Black History Month Meditation: Audre Lorde
Today’s Black History Month Meditation: Gwendolyn Brooks
James Baldwin: Today’s Black History Month Poet
Today’s Black History Month Poet: Gil Scott-Heron
Probably best know for “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised“, Scott-Heron hugely influenced Rap and Hip-Hop. His work captured the array of emotions describing the urban black culture of the moment.