A Black Butterfly and Her Muse

My attempt to give space to the noise in my head.

teachingliteracy:

dcolin:

For Saundra


i wanted to write
a poem
that rhymes
but revolution doesn’t lend
itself to be-bopping


then my neighbor
who thinks i hate
asked – do you ever write
tree poems – i like trees
so i thought
i’ll write a beautiful green tree poem
peeked from my window
to check the image
noticed that the school yard was covered
with asphalt
no green – no trees grow
in manhattan


then, well, i thought the sky
i’ll do a big blue sky poem
but all the clouds have winged
low since no-Dick was elected


so i thought again
and it occurred to me
maybe i shouldn’t write
at all
but clean my gun
and check my kerosene supply


perhaps these are not poetic
times
at all

Written by Nikki Giovanni

crudamoral:

absolutely exquisite photographs of james baldwin in turkey taken from yes magazine’s spread. inspiring, indeed. what spirited and brilliant soul wants to be my travel buddy and muse? let’s live.

(via yupyaki4life)

divalocity:

Two Words: Absolutely Stunning!

Solange Knowles attends the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival

(via yupyaki4life)

thesmithian: Luna Negra was found in 1999 by Cuban-born dancer and choreographer Eduardo Vilaro. The troupe’s mission was to celebrate the richness and diversity of Latino culture through the creation of works by contemporary Latino choreographers. At the time of its closing, Luna Negra included 10 dancers and five apprentice dancers. sad. and meanwhile, in the world of British dance…

thesmithian:

Luna Negra was found in 1999 by Cuban-born dancer and choreographer Eduardo Vilaro. The troupe’s mission was to celebrate the richness and diversity of Latino culture through the creation of works by contemporary Latino choreographers. At the time of its closing, Luna Negra included 10 dancers and five apprentice dancers.

sad. and meanwhile, in the world of British dance…

his good morning messages make me smile

his good night messages make me dream

his honesty makes me swoon

his skin makes me…

he is a beautiful, intelligent, gentle, trusting soul

who makes me laugh

who wants to impress me

but really doesn’t need to try

as his earnestness has already touched my heart

(c) Sharon

artruby: Gordon Parks, Black classroom, Mobile, Alabama, 1956, (1956).

artruby:

Gordon Parks, Black classroom, Mobile, Alabama, 1956, (1956).

Marry your best friend. I do not say that lightly. Really, truly find the strongest, happiest friendship in the person you fall in love with. Someone who speaks highly of you. Someone you can laugh with. The kind of laughs that make your belly ache, and your nose snort. The embarrassing, earnest, healing kind of laughs. Wit is important. Life is too short not to love someone who lets you be a fool with them. Make sure they are somebody who lets you cry, too. Despair will come. Find someone that you want to be there with you through those times. Most importantly, marry the one that makes passion, love, and madness combine and course through you. A love that will never dilute - even when the waters get deep, and dark.

thesmithian:

The death of Bob Marley…robs Jamaican music of its…ambassador, and popular music in general of one of its most eloquent, powerful, and conscientious voices.

it was on this day in 1981.