BLACK POETS REMEMBRANCE DAY

JUPITER HAMMON   1711-1806 - Poet

One of the founders of Black Literature. The first Black writer to be published in America.

GWENDOLYN BROOKS   1917-2000 - Poet

The first Black poet to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (1950)

MAYA ANGELOU      1928-2014 - Poet

In 1993, Angelou recited her poem, "On The Pulse of Morning, " at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton, becoming the first poet to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration in 32 years.

GIL SCOTT-HERON    1949-2011 - Poet (Bluesologist)

His poetic style has influenced every generation of hip-hop artists.  

POETRY CHALLENGE THIRTEEN

IT IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED THAT (13) IS AN UNLUCKY NUMBER. BUT WHAT ABOUT WORDS? WHAT MYSTICAL POWERS DO THEY POSSESS?

WRITE A POEM FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH USING THE FOLLOWING (13) WORDS. THERE WILL BE (3) GROUPS OF (4) WORDS EACH, AND A (1) WORD GROUP.

CROW                                                      IMAGE                           WALL                        TEARS
SWAN                                                      MYTH                             ANCIENT
IMPROVED                                            TERROR                        DAWN                  
UNCHANGED                                        SWEPT                          DUSK

POETRY EVENTS - CHICAGO

PERFORMANCE August Wilson: From Poet to Playwright Thursday, March 25 7:00 PM Poetry Foundation 61 West Superior Street Free Admission

Although best known for his “Century Cycle” of plays detailing the African American experience in each decade of the last century, Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson began his writing career as a poet, creating pieces of uncommon beauty and energy. As part of Goodman Theatre’s six-week celebration of his life and career, the Poetry Foundation is pleased to present a special program of Wilson’s poetic writings.

POETIC BIRTHDAY

AUDRE LORDE was born on February 18, 1934 in New York City.

The youngest of three sisters, born to parents from the Caribbean, she was a poet and writer.  A recurrent theme in her writings explores pride, love, anger, fear, racial and sexual oppression, urban neglect, and personal survival.

Audre wrote her first poem when she was in the eighth grade. After high school, she attended Hunter College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1959. Two years later in 1961, she received a master's degree in library science from Columbia University.

Her first volume of poetry was published in 1968. A second volume followed in 1970. 

Throughout her career, Lorde wrote at a feverish pace; and as she grew older her poetry became more personal and open. To her, writing was more than a choice, or a way of making a living,  it was her responsibility. As a result, she has produced numerous poetry and non-fiction writing collections.

Audre Lorde died at the age of 58 in 1992 .

To read a more detailed bio and check out her poetry collections Google-search her name

READ THIS POEM OUT LOUD

Willow Poem   William Carlos Williams

It is a willow when summer is over, a willow by the river from which no leaf has fallen nor bitten by the sun turned orange or crimson. The leaves cling and grow paler, swing and grow paler over the swirling waters of the river as if loath to let go, they are so cool, so drunk with the swirl of the wind and of the river— oblivious to winter, the last to let go and fall into the water and on the ground.

POETRY CHALLENGE TWELVE

THE LAST LINE OF LUCILLE CLIFTON'S POEM  "WON'T YOU CELEBRATE WITH ME," READS AS FOLLOWS: "come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed!"

WRITE A POEM WHICH DEPICTS WHAT STRUGGLES YOU HAVE FACED AND HAVE EMERGED FROM TRIUMPHANTLY.

POETRY CHALLENGE ELEVEN

WRITE THE POEM THAT DEVELOPS INSIDE YOUR MIND WHEN YOU MUSE ON THIS IMAGE.