POEMS BY NIKKI GIOVANNI

I came across these poems written by Nikki Giovanni. Ever heard of her? Well you should. She has earned the reputation as one of America's most celebrated and controversial writers. Born as Yolande Cornelia Giovanni, Jr, June 7, 1943, she remains as determined and committed as ever to the fight for civil rights and equality. Always insisting on presenting the truth as she sees it, she has maintained a prominent place as a strong voice of the Black community. Her focus is on the individual, specifically, on the power one has to make a difference in oneself, and thus, in the lives of others.

In 2004 Giovanni was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards for her album "The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection. She was also commissioned by National Public Radio's All Things Considered to create an inaugural poem for President Barack Obama.

On April 17, 2007, at the Virginia Tech Convocation commemorating the April 16 Virginia Tech massacre, Giovanni closed the ceremony with a chant poem:-

... We know we did nothing to deserve it. But neither does a child in Africa dying of AIDS. Neither do the invisible children walking the night away to avoid being captured by a rogue army. Neither does the baby elephant watching his community being devastated for ivory. Neither does the Mexican child looking for fresh water...

As I said earlier, I quote these two interesting poems written by Nikki:-

POEM OF FRIENDSHIP

We are not lovers
because of the love we make
but the love we have

We are not friends
because of the laughs we spend

but the tears we save
I don't want to be near you
for the thoughts we share
but the words we never have to speak

I will never miss you
because of what we do
but what we are together

Brilliant don't you think? Here is another one of her gems, a bit melancholic but it was delivered with a simple and honest manner..

CHOICES

If I can't do
what I want to do
then my job is to not
do what I don't want to do
It's not the same thing
but it's the best I can do

If I can't have
what I want...then
my job is to want what I've got
and be satisfied
that at least there
is something more to want

Since I can't go
where I need to go...
then I must....go
where the signs point
through always
understanding parallel movement
isn't lateral

When I can't express
what I really feel
I practice feeling
what I can express
and none of it is equal I know
but that's way mankind
alone among the animals
learns to cry

Nikki Giovanni 1973