Paint it on Black

Black Poetry Day - October 17th...is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the achievements, contributions, and history of Black people... particularly African Americans? Well, be that as it may...Black is Black - wherever you may be, this day is your day.

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

By Langston Hughes

I’ve known rivers:

I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.

I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.

I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.

I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I’ve known rivers:

Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

By Langston Hughes

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I needed a poster to reflect Black Poetry Day. So I started a competition for the best representation for the show.

The theme was..."PAINT IT ON BLACK".

Well, it was mostly Men who showed up...they all seemed a bit tipsy and drunk.

One single Female artist showed up, she seemed sober.

Ok, guys...let's review some of our Black Poets before we begin. I said.

✍️📜🖋️

Langston Hughes: "A central figure of the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes is known for his accessible and musical poetry that captures the joys and struggles of Black life in America. Notable works include "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," "Harlem," and "Mother to Son." His poetry often reflects the complexities of racial identity and the African American experience".

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Maya Angelou: Renowned for her autobiographical works and poetry, Angelou's most famous poem, "Still I Rise," speaks to resilience and strength in the face of adversity. She was also a civil rights activist and her work continues to inspire generations.

Still I Rise

By Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

’Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

By Maya Angelou

............You tell em Maya.

"Who". Asks one of the tipsy entrants.

"Maya Angego...Angel...something". Lisped his inebriated friend"

"Idiots...". Said the female participant.

✍️📜🖋️I took a breath and continued...

Gwendolyn Brooks: The first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Notable works include "We Real Cool" and "The Bean Eaters".

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Paul Laurence Dunbar: One of the first influential Black poets in America, Dunbar's work often addressed the duality of the Black experience. His famous poem "We Wear the Mask" explores themes of identity and societal expectations.

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Nikki Giovanni: A prominent contemporary poet, Giovanni's work often addresses issues of race, gender, and social justice. Her poetry is known for its emotional depth and clarity, with notable works like "Ego Tripping" and "Women."

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Claude McKay: Jamaican-American poet, novelist, and journalist. Another key figure of the Harlem Renaissance, McKay's poetry often dealt with themes of race and social justice. His famous poem "If We Must Die" is a powerful call to action against oppression.

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There are so many more than we can name here.

Amanda Gorman. Terrence Hayes. Hanif Abdurraqib. Saeed Jones. Yona Harvey. Tracy K. Smith. Brandon Leake. Caroline Randall Williams...the list goes on.

And so the competition began.

Stanley and his drunken group presented this....

Oh my Lord! Please teach them to spell.

Then came Josh's team...

Oi! this is what happens when a group has no leader and goes free-for-all.

Up next is Vera. Thank you Jesus!

She is followed by Sam and Jake, two late additions to the group.

They did a pretty good job.

It's a tie between Vera and the Sam and Jake duo. Who will win?

But we all got to celebrate Black Poetry Day together. It was a lot of fun.

Huges wrote in his essay - “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain,” “We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased we are glad. If they are not, it doesn’t matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly too.”

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Click for MIKES PROMPT.