poetry, prose, and photography
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.
As it’s Black History Month, I felt it appropriate to remind people of the brilliant legacy of Black Poets. Today I start with the legendary Maya Angelou. Facing down the brutality of her childhood, I see her as one of the great souls of human history. This particular quote speaks loudly to me, laden with wisdom.
I adore Rumi. The wisdom within his poetry has long guided me.
Within this small line: the importance of faith. Not necessarily directed toward any particular diety. Simply regarding our community.
Our futures are unknowable until they become our past. Even then meaning slowly gets gleaned.
I live with a dangerous mindset: desiring to understand all the ramifications of a choice before I act. This impossibility risks paralyzing me. Often, it has. Losing opportunity out of fear? That’s sad.
I need to embrace that the way will appear when it needs to, and not a moment before. And that this way is good, it is for the best.
Believe the unknown and uncontrollable are not reasons to hide, to wait, relegating opportunity to vapor.
As a long time fan of Snyder’s work, this delights me.
Neruda’s poems
Make my heart sing
His words echo
Through my soul
Reading Langston Hughes
And about his vocational drifting
I have a thing for the wanderer
My own career meanders
Weaving back and forth
Across green fertile fields
Vibrancy within each step
I’m spending Black History Month exploring black ports and their great works. Langston Hughes came to mind first. I’m also thinking of Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison. Do you have ideas? I’d love to hear about up-and-coming poets.
Carl Setzer: Word Shaper 