Category: poetry

Celebrations, poetry

Celebrating Black History Month-James Baldwin

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld
<a href="<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:James_Baldwin_37_Allan_Warren_(cropped).jpg">Allan warren</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0">CC BY-SA 3.0

Biography

There is so much to read and watch about James Baldwin. I recommend a trip through YouTube where there are interviews with James Baldwin. His voice is powerful, his message is meaningful. and as much of this is from the past – this is the history I believe we need to be reminded about. Starting with the above biography link and then heading to YouTube, set aside some time to get to know this man. If I looked up “Prolific” James Baldwin’s picture should be on the page.

Celebrations, poetry

Celebrating Black History Month-Fenton Johnson

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Here’s a poem I especially believe causes pause for thought:

Tired

By Fenton Johnson

I am tired of work; I am tired of building up somebody else’s civilization.

Let us take a rest, M’Lissy Jane.

I will go down to the Last Chance Saloon, drink a gallon or two of gin, shoot a game or two of dice and sleep the rest of the night on one of Mike’s barrels.

You will let the old shanty go to rot, the white people’s clothes turn to dust, and the Calvary Baptist Church sink to the bottomless pit.

You will spend your days forgetting you married me and your nights hunting the warm gin Mike serves the ladies in the rear of the Last Chance Saloon.

Throw the children into the river; civilization has given us too many. It is better to die than it is to grow up and find out that you are colored.

Pluck the stars out of the heavens. The stars mark our destiny. The stars marked my destiny.

I am tired of civilization.

Learn more about Fenton Johnson:

https://aalbc.com/authors/Fenton+Johnson