Good Night by Nikki Giovanni

Remember that little book of poetry that I absolutely love?

Well, here is another wonderful poem from that book...

"Good Night"

by 

           Nikki Giovanni             

It is late

I stand

In front of your desk

Saying something inane

You fiddle with papers

Not looking at anything

Works is over yet

We stay 

I smile

You are, after all, very cute

We leave the building 

Casually

Like it doesn't matter

There is a beautiful moon 

We say Good Night

I unhurriedly stroll to my car 

Humming some 1950s love song

I speed-limit home

to

Walk my dog

Give fresh water to the birdbaths

Eat my dinner

Choose my clothes for tomorrow

Set the timer

Slide between my bamboo sheets

And dream

Of you 

Nikki has a way with words.....

Try this awesome little book!

This Little Book Right Here: Bicycle Love Poems by Nikki Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni is hands down one of my favorite poets of all times.

She writes about things such as love and family, and she uses eloquent, simple language and rhyme schemes which always evoke some type of emotion from me.

I picked up this wonderful little book of poetry, Bicycles Love Poems, a few months back, and My People, it is delightful from the first page until the last.

Here is one of my favorite poems from this very special book of poetry:

I Am A Mirror

by

Nikki Giovanni

I am a mirror

I reflect the grace 

  Of my mother

The tenacity
Of my grandmother

The patience
Of my grandfather

The sweat
Of my great-grandfather

The hope
Of my great-great-grandfather

The songs
Of my ancestors

The Prayers
Of those on the auction block

The bravery
Of those in the middle passage

I reflect the strengths
of my people
And for that alone

I am loved

This little book of poetry is totally delightful.... Try it if you dare!

To Thine Own Self, Be True!

Happy Black History Month!

I LOVE MY LIFE....

I saw a quote on Facebook, and yea it sounded harsh when I first read it, but I so agree with the idea that the decisions that I make, determine the kind of life that I live. I must admit that I have learned to make decisions that cause me to fall in love with my life over and over again.

Last night, Nikki Giovanni was in DC AGAIN, and she recommended that we all should consider always being in love. She stated that it makes a person's skin better and people notice how well a person looks who is in love. She also stated that being in love has nothing to do with someone loving us back; it's about being in love.....

Nikki AGAIN!

I thought about this, and being in love is what makes me love my life intensely....

I am in love with my health journey. I love working on my health with vigor. I love it enough to pursue it with passion, and I love to talk to other people about their health journey. Working on my health means going happily to workout, ride my bike, run, eat healthy and doing these things with complete passion. The more that I do these things that are good for my body, the more that I fall in love with them, and being in love feels so good.

I am in love with people. Yea, I absolutely love people, and the more that I am with people, my love for them grow stronger and stronger. I love crowds; like homecoming parties that are extremely crowed with people whom I've known since I was extremely young, and I have grown to love these people intensely. And loving people has causes me to fall in love with my life more and more and more, and being in love feels so good.

Homecoming 2013

I'm in love with the idea that I am constantly growing, and God continues to send people into my life who inspire me to be a better person. I mentioned to a friend that I wanted some macaroni and cheese. I try to never eat 'mac and cheese,' but it's the Thanksgiving holiday, and someone took the time to display being giving and kind by taking the time to cook me my very own pan of 'mac and cheese!' This display of being giving and kind has inspired me more than the person who modeled this behavior knows. My people, this act of giving and kindness caused me to fall more and more in love with life and the idea that there are sooo many great people in this world, and it feels so good.

Hearing Nikki state that we should consider falling in love helped me to see why I love my life. I am in love with people, group cycling, teaching, words, long rides in the car, BIG. BEAUTIFUL. RED. TREES., people who make me want to be a better person........

My people, I LOVE MY LIFE!

And Thanks to Nikki, I now know why!!!

People consider falling in love and see how much more you will love your life.

Happy Day After Thanksgiving....

Big. Beautiful. Red. Trees.

I love the view from my Balcony....

As I was looking at these Big. Beautiful. Red. Trees. which are my absolutely favorite trees, I thought about this poem by Nikki Giovanni:

"What It Is" by Nikki Giovanni

If it's a trail we can hike it

If it has two wheels we can bike it

If it's an allergy we can sneeze it

If it's a pimple we can squeeze it

If it's dew it "covers Dixie"

If it's Tinker Bell it's a pixie

If it's a breeze it can blow us

If it's the sun it can know us

If it's a song we can sing it

If it flies we can wing it

If it's soda pop then it's drinkable

It might be X-rated but that's unthinkable

If it's a boat we can sail it

If it's a letter we can mail it

If it's a star we can let it shine

If it's the moon it can make you mine

If it's grass we can rake it

If it's free why not take it

If it's a tide it can ebb

If it's a spider it can web

If it's chocolate we can dip it

If it's a golf ball we can chip it

If it's gum we can chew it

I hope it's love so we can do it

I absolutely love this poem, and fall, and my mom, and biking, and teaching literature, and Toni Morrison, and Nikki Giovanni, and words, and those Big. Beautiful. Red. Trees. that are outside of my window.

Happy Friday, My People!!

"NEVER BE AFRAID TO BE MYSELF!"

Nikki and Me

Saturday, one of my favorite writers of all times was at The National Portrait Gallery to read a poem that she wrote for a book titled Lines in Long Array. The book is a compilation of pieces to commemorate 150 years since the Civil War.

Commemorative Book!

Autographs of nine of the contributors!

If you read this blog often, or if you read this blog every now and then, know that Nikki is in the DC area quite often, and I see her just about every time that she is here. And, every time that I see her, I get the same message over and over and over again: "NEVER BE AFRAID TO BE MYSELF."

Nikki speaks 'her truth,' and she speaks it honestly and openly. It doesn't matter if I see Nikki on a very dignified occasion or a more relax occasion, Nikki is always Nikki. She seems to never change to fit the environment; she is who she is all the time.

In the past, I thought that I should adjust what I say and how I act based on my environment, and thanks to Nikki, I am who I am in ALL situations. I am the same with my students as I am with my friends; I am the same all of the time. I love to laugh and I do it anywhere, everywhere, and with anybody.

Nikki is a great example that promotion comes from God, because a lot of the things that she say are not politically correct, but she says them anyway, and keeps right on soaring. I have learned from Nikki to always speak 'my truth' and speak it boldly.

At The Portrait Gallery, Nikki stated that she wanted to name her poem "I got a message for the South: You Lost." However, the editors of the book thought that the title of the poem did not fit the feeling that they were going for in the book. However, Nikki stated that she changed the title of the poem for the book, but she also stated that "there is a such thing as my book, and in my book, the poem will be titled I got a message for the South: You Lost."

I always feel that the Nikki that I see in public is the same Nikki that I would see in her home.

Nikki Dares Greatly, and she inspires me to do the same!!!

On another note, I got a gentle reminder that I am not the only person in the world who thinks that Nikki is completely awesome...

I assisted an older woman in getting a parking space at The Portrait Gallery, and I noticed that she had the commemorative book in her hand, and we talked briefly about Nikki and the book signing. As I was leaving to go inside of The Portrait Gallery, I said to her 'enjoy the program.'

After the program she left this note on my car:

I'm not the only person who thinks that Nikki is remarkable...

If you are having trouble Daring Greatly, find people who are doing it and doing it well, and emulate!

This is the day.... Rejoice and Be Glad!

Stand Still and Know That I am God!

The great poet, Nikki Giovanni, stated that there is no such things as writer's block. She believes that, sometimes, a person just may not have anything to write about. So, let me share my experience with what may or may not be write's block.

My writings come from my muse, my Guiding Spirit. I know that may sound crazy, but it is the absolute truth. Normally, I will sit down to write about a book or anything else, and the words just come to me. I never have to ponder how or what to write, the words just typically flow. And, that is why I have to do a lot of editing, because I allow my muse to use me, and then I go back and fix the problems that I can see.....

Since my last post, which was on October 17th, my muse must be taking a nap, because I have not been able to write. Yep, I finished reading Song of Solomon, and I had lots of incredible thoughts this time around, but for some reason, my muse has been telling me that it is not time to put those ideas into words, and I have obeyed. I know that the Song of Solomon post is coming, but I am not quite sure when. 

I have had some quite incredible things happen, some very good and some not so good, but I have been told to "stand still and know that I am God." So, I have been standing still. There are some things that I have been wanting to shout from the mountain top, but I have been reminded to "stand still and know that I am God."

So, I am sure that my muse will 'rise up' and summons me to write, but until then...

Know that I LOVE You!

"Stand Still and Know That I am God!"

Ego Tripping...

I totally trust the greatest trainer in the world, Berhane. I follow and do everything that he tells me to do, and he has not led me astray yet!

Lately, he has been telling me that I need to cut back on my long distance runs; it's tough on the joints. (What?)

I love long distance running. I no longer get that runner's high from anything under five miles. When I run six to ten miles, I feel mentally good. But when I run ten or above, I feel invincible even though my knees may be a bit sore afterwards. I recover quickly!  (Ego Tripping!)

He has been telling me to get the ego out of it, and do what is good for my body. (What???)

He's recommending sprints where I run as fast as I can around the track, then do a slower run around the track and constantly try to improve my time. He says that because my heart rate will go up and down, I will see greater results. (I absolutely believe this, but.....)

That's not what I want to do; I want to meet my running group every Saturday and RUN! (Ego Tripping!)

I love getting up early on a Saturday morning to run; I'm not sure what I will do with my Saturday mornings if I do not run. (Ego Tripping!)

I do trust Berhane when it comes to my health, but I am not sure what I will do with this new information. (Ego Tripping!)

People, offer me some advice please, because I think that I may be ego tripping!

Ego Tripping (there may be a reason why) 

by Nikki Giovani

I was born in the congo

I walked to the fertile crescent and built

the sphinx

I designed a pyramid so tough that a star

that only glows every one hundred years falls

into the center giving divine perfect light

I am bad

I sat on the throne

drinking nectar with allah

I got hot and sent an ice age to europe

to cool my thirst

My oldest daughter is nefertiti

the tears from my birth pains

created the nile

I am a beautiful woman

I gazed on the forest and burned

out the sahara desert

with a packet of goat's meat

and a change of clothes

I crossed it in two hours

I am a gazelle so swift

so swift you can't catch me

For a birthday present when he was three

I gave my son hannibal an elephant

He gave me rome for mother's day

My strength flows ever on

My son noah built new/ark and

I stood proudly at the helm

as we sailed on a soft summer day

I turned myself into myself and was

jesus

men intone my loving name

All praises All praises

I am the one who would save

I sowed diamonds in my back yard

My bowels deliver uranium

the filings from my fingernails are

semi-precious jewels

On a trip north

I caught a cold and blew

My nose giving oil to the arab world

I am so hip even my errors are correct

I sailed west to reach east and had to round off

the earth as I went

The hair from my head thinned and gold was laid

across three continents

I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal

I cannot be comprehended except by my permission

I mean...I...can fly

like a bird in the sky...

Ego Tripping..........

Let's Do This People!

God has Spoken!

Deanna and Me!

Deanna and I both went to Tuskegee. Deanna was a few years older than me, and we never really interacted in college. But being that Tuskegee is a rather small school, we sort of knew each other.

After I graduated from Tuskegee, I moved to Birmingham, Alabama, and Deanna was also in Birmingham going to law school. Not sure how it happened, but we use to hang out from time to time in Birmingham. Both attending Tuskegee meant that we knew each other, and it was all good. (There is nothing like that Tuskegee bond!)

Years later, I ended up moving to Northern Virginia, and guess who not only moved to Northern Virginia but also lived in my same apartment complex? None other than Deanna!!!!! Let's just say that the fun began..........

Deanna and I were invited to parties all of the time. We really believed that people invited us to their parties to guarantee that everyone would have a good time. We use to party, were in the same book club, and would do so many fun things together.

Deanna was super talented. She would do my hair, write and recite poetry, crochet, paint, create all types of birthday cards, invitations etc, tell the most awesome stories and jokes, make beautiful costumes for Halloween, could beat anyone mixing drinks, read book after book etc.

Eventually, Deanna moved to Atlanta.

Gerald, another friend who went to Tuskegee as well, changed his Facebook profile picture to a picture of himself and Deanna and then I got a message from him saying to call him, and my heart dropped. I knew that this was not good, and it wasn't....

Gerald and Deanna!

Gerald told me that Deanna passed away, and my brain has not stopped since: I thought about her family whom she is extremely close to; I thought about Tuskegee's homecoming, Deanna goes to homecoming every year; I thought about all of the great times that we use to share; I thought about the first thing that she said to me when she saw me at Homecoming this year: I miss you; I thought why Deanna and why now?

This poem titled "And How Could I live On" by Nikki Giovanni kept going through my brain. The poem has nothing to do with Deanna, but the words "And How Could I live on" kept going through my mind......

I was up all night last night, phone was ringing, but I had no words, and therefore could not talk

On the way to work, I needed words, and I did not want them to be my own. So, I listened to Nikki Giovanni read from her poetry collection...and it was good, hot soup for my soul.....

I know there are a lot of people thinking today "And How Could I live On," and............

"And How Could I Live On"
by Nikki Giovanni

Live? How could I live on -- knowing::::::::Oh sure I could hold on
Wait -- worry -- But I had to hear the sobs -- I know what I must look like
Live? I did live on -- when the bullets rained I fell -- over the girls I
knew he was gone -- I knew I had to change things
We were partners -- you know -- we thought as one -- Sometimes he thought
it was all -- him -- why not::::I knew::::it was us
The changes -- the acceptable changes -- The work -- The worry
But We Pulled Through
The people who used us -- stole from us -- tried to divide us from each other
But we pulled Through
We were at the plateau -- not resting but catching our breaths--The
girls were doing all -- right -- a stumble here -- and there -- but all right
Then this -- this mark that could not be erased -- the mistake that could not be
corrected::::::::I only wanted to Help her
Help cleanse her
Help tame her hate
Her fears
that thing that ran in his family
I brought the boy home hoping trying yes praying scared I was too old too
tired to make a difference but trying
We argued::::and we argued::::but this to me--I didn't feel like it
I wanted my crossword puzzle and late-night radio -- I wanted peace
I felt him before I heard him::::::::Heard him before I saw him::::Called
out MALCOLM don't do this to me
And he threw gasoline on me
MALCOLM don't do this to yourself:::::Stop Now
and he lit the match
MALCOLM I called MALCOLM MALCOLM
and he tossed it
How could I live on -- like some thing out of Richard Wright's poem -- like
an object for people to come view -- like a shadow of myself No, I could
survive but could not live on Knowing my grandbaby:::::named for a great
man who loved me::::::wanted needed insisted upon My Death
I could not live on and wake up -- from that nightmare

I wouldn't take anything for the times that I shared with Deanna.

However, God has spoken, and we all will come to grips with "AMEN" eventually......

The Tuskegee Troops are rallying "The People" right now!

"You Were Gone" by Nikki Giovanni

Have you ever had something on your mind, and you just didn't know why? Well, like I stated in an earlier post, I love to hear Nikki Giovanni read her poetry, and one of the poems that I like to hear her read is "You Were Gone." For the last two or three weeks, the words "You Were Gone" have been on my mind. So, here is the poem:

You Were Gone

by

Nikki Giovanni

You were gone

like a fly lighting

on that wall

with a spider in the corner

You were gone

like last  week’s paycheck

for this week’s bills

You were gone

like the years between

twenty-five and thirty

as if somehow

You never existed

and if it wouldn’t be

for the gray hairs

I’d never know that

You had come.

Happy Friday!



"Woman" by Nikki Giovanni

By now, if you have been reading my blog, you know that Nikki Giovanni is my all time favorite poet. She writes and conveys her messages in ways that really speaks to my heart. 

This is really corny, but I love to hear her read her own writings. I feel really crazy for admitting this, but in my car, I have the The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection CD, and sometimes when I ride alone, I listen to the CD. OK, I already know that this is true nerd behavior. But the CD really is awesome, and she gives commentary between the poems that helps the listeners to understand her and her poetry.

On the CD, she shares poems about Tupac, Rosa Parks, Betty Shabazz, the Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, Langston Hughes, being in love, going to the moon etc.     

Listening to the CD really sets my heart on fire.

Below is one of my favorite poems by Nikki Giovanni that I have been analyzing with my students for years. It always leads to great discussions and leaves my girl students feeling empowered and boy students feeling attacked. Boy, do I have to do a lot of explaining.

Woman is not on the CD, but I really wish that it was:

                                   Woman by Nikki Giovanni

                                           she wanted to be a blade

                                            of grass amid the fields
                                            but he wouldn’t agree
                                            to be the dandelion

                                            she wanted to be a robin singing
                                            through the leaves
                                            but he refused to be
                                            her tree

                                            she spun herself into a web
                                            and looking for a place to rest
                                            turned to him
                                            but he stood straight
                                            declining to be her corner

                                            she tried to be a book
                                            but he wouldn’t read

                                            she turned herself into a bulb
                                            but he wouldn’t let her grow

                                            she decided to become
                                            a woman
                                            and though he still refused
                                            to be a man
                                            she decided it was all
                                            right

Deep Right?

Habits

After reading a post about motivation from Black Girls Guide to Weight Lost, I've been thinking a lot about motivation versus habit. I found a poem by Nikki Giovanni that pretty much sums up my thoughts:

 

Habits

by

Nikki Giovanni

i haven't written a poem in so long
i may have forgotten how
unless writing a poem
is like riding a bike
or swimming upstream
or loving you
it may be a habit that once acquired
is never lost

Happy Saturday!!!