Honoring Black History Month

Image: Henry L. Jones

Greetings, Readers!

I hope you'll join me in honoring Black History Month. A time to recognize and highlight the collective contributions of people of color. Though 28 days merely scratches the surface of a rich and powerful legacy, we would be remiss if we did not, in some way, honor those who paved the way before us, and those who continue to carry the torch.

Here are a few celebratory poems, accordingly.

Also, if you are seeking a poetry reading or book signing at your school, writers' group meeting, or other social event, I would love to come out and connect. See the contact info provided in the top right hand corner of this site for details.

YET, I DREAM

 

I dream of kings and queens

Of far away kingdoms,

From days of old,

With corn-rowed tresses

And ebony faces.

I dream of my forefathers,

Chained and shackled,

Brought to a distant land,

A home forever,

The motherland to see no more.

Bought and sold,

Their labors utilized

In the forging of a new nation

Called America---The Home of the Brave

And the Land of the Free.

I dream of Benjamin Banneker,

Crispus Attucks, Nat Turner, Den Mark Vessey,

Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington,

W.E.B. Dubois, Jean Baptiste DuSable,

George Washington Carver, Carter G. Woodson,

Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Martin Luther King...

I dream of Harriet Tubman,

Sojourner Truth, Mary McLeod Bethune,

Phillis Wheatly, Madame C.J. Walker,

Ida B. Wells, Mahalia Jackson,

Marian Anderson, Marjorie Stewart Joyner...

And other sisters and brothers

Who lit and carried the torch,
 

Then left it----That we might see the way.

I dream! I dream! I dream!

Yes, Yet I dream!

(C) 1995 A.D. Moore

"QUALITY TIME?"

 

They give us 28 days

To uplift us in praise,

To grant a proverbial

"Thumb raise"

 

Which to me is a mystery,

That such a rich history

Should be barely touched upon,

28 days

And then the glory is gone,

 

A mere token

A few accolades spoken

 

For such sacrifice and pain,

With so much loss,

So little gain

 

 

(C) 1997 J.B. Banks