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A Poem for a Thursday #331
Nikki Giovanni was an American poet who lived from 1943-2024. She was one of the world’s best known African-American poets and was nominated for a Grammy for her poetry album entitled The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection. Giovanni was called the “poet of the Black revolution” due to her emphasis on social justice. She won many awards, was given the key to over two dozen cities and even had a bat species named after her. While much of her poetry addressed heavy issues, I really enjoy today’s more light-hearted poem. Rain has dropsSun has shineMoon has beamsThat make you mineRivers have banksSands for shoresHearts have heartbeatsThat make me yoursNeedles have eyesThough…
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A Poem for a Thursday #330
Alice Walker is an American novelist, poet, and social activist. She became the first African-American to win the Pulitzer Prize when she was awarded it for her novel, The Color Purple. The novel was the subject of a movie and a Broadway musical. Walker is described as “a meticulous observer of human relationships and interactions.” Be nobody's darling;Be an outcast.Take the contradictionsOf your lifeAnd wrap aroundYou like a shawl,To parry stonesTo keep you warm.Watch the people succumbTo madnessWith ample cheer;Let them look askance at youAnd you askance reply.Be an outcast;Be pleased to walk alone(Uncool)Or line the crowdedRiver bedsWith other impetuousFools.Make a merry gatheringOn the bankWhere thousands perishedFor brave hurt wordsThey…
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A Library Visit//Cleveland Public Library
When we decided to move away from Ohio, we compiled a list of places we had never gotten around to visiting and favorite places we wanted to revisit. One place I had always intended to see was the Cleveland Public Library. I was regularly told what an amazing library it is and how beautiful it is. I was in Cleveland regularly for the volunteer work I do, and yet, somehow, I had never made it to the library. I remedied that on my last trip to Cleveland. Nothing is too far from Lake Erie in Cleveland and that is true of the library. Look at the beautiful views out the…
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On The Other Side
Well. I live in Pennsylvania now. It has been several months of decisions, chaos, boxes (so many boxes), and maybe a few tears. Have I mentioned I hate moving? Every single time, I insist I am never moving again. And yet, every single time I find myself packing up all our possessions and relocating. We don’t seem to believe in moving locally; we only do long-distance moves. I do see one more move in my future since we are renting a townhouse now and will eventually want to buy a house if the market ever cooperates. However, I am hoping we can make that a local move. We shall see.…
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A Poem for a Thursday #329
I have featured William Stafford’s poetry a number of times before. I enjoy his conversational style and his focus on nature and the everyday beauty of things around us. I think this poem is beautiful. Just lying on the couch and being happy.Only humming a little, the quiet sound in the head.Trouble is busy elsewhere at the moment, it hasso much to do in the world.People who might judge are mostly asleep; they can'tmonitor you all the time, and sometimes they forget.When dawn flows over the hedge you canget up and act busy.Little corners like this, pieces of Heavenleft lying around, can be picked up and saved.People won't even see…
