Category Poets

And so the seedBecomes a flowerAnd in its hourReproduces dreamsAnd flowers. And so the rootBecomes a trunkAnd then a treeAnd seeds of treesAnd springtime sapAnd summer shadeAnd autumn leavesAnd shape of poemsAnd dreams—More than tree. And so it isWith those…

The little boywho sticks a needle in his armand seeks an out in other worldly dreams,who seeks an out in eyes that droopand ears that close to Harlem screams,cannot know, of course,(and has no way to understand)a sunrise that he…

Oh, Congo brotherWith your tribal marks,We, too, emergeFrom ageless darks.We, too, emitA frightening cryFrom body scarred,Soul that won’t die.We encarnadine the sky.We, who have noTribal marks to bear,Bear in our soulsThe great welts thereThat years have cutThrough skin and lashedThrough…

Go slow, they say—While the biteOf the dog is fast.Go slow, I hear—While they tell meYou can’t eat here!You can’t live here!You can’t work here!Don’t demonstrate! Wait!—While they lock the gate.Am I supposed to be God,Or an angel with wingsAnd…

The simple silly terrorof a doorknob on a doorthat turns to let in lifeon two feet standing,walking, talking,wearing dress or trousers,maybe drunk or maybe sober,maybe smiling, laughing, happy,maybe tangled in the terrorof a yesterday past grandpawhen the door from out…

This little silent one—He’s all the atoms from the sunAnd all the grass bladesFrom the earthAnd all the songsThe heart gives birthTo when the throatStops singing—He’s my son—This littleSilentOne.

…and here isold Picasso and the doveand dreams as fragileas pottery with dovein white on claydark brown asearth is brownfrom our oldbattle ground…

When faith in black candlesand in the nothing at allon clocks runs outand the time that has goneand the time to comeis done—What is the number thenthat hasn’t yetbeen won???????

Pity all the frightened onesWho do not look afraid—And so receive no pity fromThe ones who make the grade.

The strangeness And the stranger Walk ambiently Body-rounded: The life bellAnd the death knellBoth at onceAre sounded.