It’s my pleasure to introduce you to fledgling poet, Camron McDonald: the 13-year old son of my former Little Sister, Alette. (When she was ten years old, she and I were matched for eight years through Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Marin and we’ve stayed in touch.) Now I’m thrilled to work with Camron. Once a… Continue reading Camron ~ Invest in a Young Poet
Category: Poetry
Still I Rise ~ Maya Angelou
Through her words, her undeniable presence and voice she left an indelible mark on the world. She wrote this poem two years into President Jimmy Carter’s term; the year Harvey Milk became the first openly gay member of the San Francisco City Council. Who knew that 36 years later the poem’s sentiment would be still… Continue reading Still I Rise ~ Maya Angelou
Harlem Hopscotch ~ Music Video: Maya Angelo
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mBHyKECPuA?rel=0&w=560&h=315] Harlem Hopscotch by Maya Angelou One foot down, then hop! It’s hot. Good things for the ones that’s got. Another jump, now to the left. Everybody for hisself. In the air, now both feet down. Since you black, don’t stick around. Food is gone, the rent is due, Curse and cry and then… Continue reading Harlem Hopscotch ~ Music Video: Maya Angelo
Nikki and Nikky @ ASU in Albany, GA
This was very cool: How could the 1000 people who recently attended Albany State University’s 8th Annual Poetry Festival possibly process the enormity of the event: being in the same room with Nikki Giovanni and Nikky Finney? With Frank X Walker, Hoke Glover and Lita Hooper. Kudos to my mother, Irene Jones‘ alma mater and HBCUs everywhere.
Dr. Maya ~ Evermore
Dr. Maya has not fallen silent ~ death gives her voice the power of perpetuity. She has joined the ancestors. Now she, too, can be everywhere all at once. She and my mother, Irene Gaines Jones, were born on April 4th. My mother was 2 when Maya was born. Dr. King was assassinated on their… Continue reading Dr. Maya ~ Evermore
Billy Collins is himself a poem
I’m sure it’s illegal somewhere to do what the erudite Billy Collins does so well with the 26 letters of our alphabet. And I’m so glad he gets away with it. If a poem is a cultural artifact then Billy is a poem…
Botlahle ~ 11 years old. South African. Poet. Prophet
I’m no big fan of “Got Talent” shows, but this is too good not to share. I have my dear friend Judith on The Park in Brooklyn to thank for sending these links: I’ve never seen anyone quite like this 11-year old South African girl, Botlahle [bo-TA-lay].
Robust Work
Happy Birthday, Betty Jean… born 63 years ago today… My sister, Betty, loved poetry. This one is for her: Yards scream for attention, sending vines running up outside walls, choking trees and fences.
Ancient Calls
Free write by Anita Gail Jones (written Oct. 23, 2009) Wrap the children in revival language Swaddle them in the sound from our past, the liquid coos and grunts of ancestors, left to us like ancient calls from birds now extinct but remembered through the the Mockingbird’s song on my garden fence. The sound of… Continue reading Ancient Calls
Head Off and Split ~ Poems by Nikky Finney
A while back in my Skinny Widget, I posted video of Nikky Finney—born Lynn Carol Finney—accepting the 2011 National Book Award for Poetry, her speech —a poem itself—is already legendary for its power and originality. (Scroll down to see it). Many of you missed that Skinny so I’m back to bring more attention to her… Continue reading Head Off and Split ~ Poems by Nikky Finney