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ARTS
Greetings Fellow Spirits,
Poetry
Women
of Colout^
IYou know
Jit’s such a joy being a woman^
I of colour
I For distinction in the essence of
Ibeauty
I An wo hav(> rpignod. in
‘our” country . . .
I For decades as
iBIack pearls
As I sat utilizing one of my
mortal powers, referred to as
reading, I suddenly realized that I
haven’t met many of you souls
(especially colored ones).
Now, stop and be aware that as
writers of words we all stand as
great communicators. Imagine
physical impressions being of no
value. Words create the at
mosphere, conveying happiness,
despair, admiration, respect and
countless other mental messages.
Tlius, as I write and you read, I
am so pleased that we can
communicate without having
been physically introduced.
Rejoice in life’s small wonders;
share your spirits, minds, souls
and hearts through symbols.
Some may call you a poet.
As Salaam Alaikum
LAM
The Barrier
I must not gaze at them although
Your eyes are dawning day;
I must not watch you as you go
Your sun-illumined way.
I hear but I must never heed
The fascinating note.
Which, fluting like a river reed.
Comes from your trembling
throat.
I must not see upon your face
Love’s softly glowing spark;
For there’s the barrier of race.
You’re fair and I am dark.
Tribute to a man
called King
Almost too soon forgotten
the ugliness;
“To protect the skull, fold the
hands over the head. To prevent
disfigurement of the face, bring
the elbows together in front of
the eyes.” '
Instructions to Claflin College
and South Carolina State
College Students, 1960.
Almost
the plight;
“No other offense has ever been
visited with such severe
penalties as seeking to help the
oppressed”
Qarence Darrow
too soon
the strength of a dream;
“I had a dream. . . .black men
and white men, Jews and
Gentiles, Prostestants and
Catholics, will be able to join
hands and sing. . . .Free at
Last! Free at last! TTiank God
Almighty, we are Free at last! ”
M.L.K. 8-28-63
Forgotten
the beginning;
“Yo Bro. . . .what happened
January 15, 1929?”
Almost
—L.A.M.
1922—Selected Poems
of Claude McKay
Just a moment please . . .
Tlie worst experiences are the
most remembered
TTie trick is to remember with
laughter
and Learn
—L.A.M.
Dinner Guest: Me
I know I am
Tlie Negro Problem
Being wined and dined,
Answering the usual questions
That come to white mind
Which seeks demurely
To probe in polite way
TTie why and where withal
Of darkness U.S.A.—
Wondering how things got this
way
In current demoncratic night,
Murmuring gently
Over fraises du bois
“I’m so ashamed of being white.”
1967—From The Panther
and the Lash
Langston Hughes