Black History Month Day 26.

Ballad of Birmingham
By Dudley Randall (1914-2000)

(On the bombing of a church in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963)

“Mother dear, may I go downtown
Instead of out to play,
Read the complete poem here.

Black History Month Day 25.

Black Woman
By Georgia Douglas Johnson (1880-1966)

Don’t knock at my door, little child,
….I cannot let you in,
You know not what a world this is
….Of cruelty and sin.
Wait in the still eternity
….Until I come to you,
The world is cruel, cruel, child,
….I cannot let you in!

Don’t knock at my heart, little one,
….I cannot bear the pain
Of turning deaf-ear to your call
….Time and time again!
You do not know the monster men
….Inhabiting the earth,
Be still, be still, my precious child,
….I must not give you birth!

This poem is in the public domain.

Black History Month Day 24.

her tin skin
By Evie Shockley (1965-)

i want her tin skin. i want
her militant barbie breast,
Read the complete poem here.
Listen to the poem here.

Black History Month Day 23.

Excerpt from A Wreath for Emmett Till
By Marilyn Nelson (1946-)

Emmett Till’s name still catches in my throat,
Read the excerpt here.

Black History Month Day 22.

Many of you probably know Elizabeth Alexander from President Obama’s inauguration when she read her poem, “Praise Song for the Day.”

Race
By Elizabeth Alexander (1962-)

Sometimes I think about Great-Uncle Paul who left Tuskegee,
Read the complete poem here.
Listen to the poem here.

Black History Month Day 21.

The Barrier
By Claude McKay (1889–1948)

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.

This poem is in the public domain.

Black History Month Day 20.

“I don’t usually talk to strangers…”
By Claudia Rankine (1963-)

I don’t usually talk to strangers, but it is four o’clock and I can’t get a cab.
Read and listen to the complete poem here.

Black History Month Day 19.

Here’s another contemporary black female poet to read.

Violence, I know you
By Khadijah Queen

so well it’s like you’re my real
lover, the reason I can’t stay
Read the complete poem here.

Black History Month Day 18.

Today I would like to introduce a young emerging poet.

Pyriscence
By Angelique Zobitz (1980-)

for Breonna, Oluwatoyin, Rekia, Riah, Kayla, Dominique, Michelle, Nina, Miriam, Sandra, Atatiana, Monica, Charleena, Chynal, Korryn, India, Alexia, Mya, Tanisha, Sheneque, Natasha, Tanisha, Kendra, LaTanya, Danette, Muhlaysia, Margaret, Dana, Eleanor, Bee Love, Frankie Ann, ​​Alberta, Tarika, Aiyana, Bailey, Shereese, Sharmel, Alesia, Shelly, & all the ones we have not learned of #SayHerName)
​
Read the complete poem here.

Black History Month Day 17.

Oughta Be a Woman
By June Jordan (1936-2002)

Washing the floors to send you to college
Staying at home so you can feel safe
Read the complete poem here.
Listen to the poem here.