I wonder. . . (In Memoriam, Gwendolyn Brooks)

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Sven

Member Laureate

since 1999-11-23

Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA

0 posted 2001-02-14 08:40 PM

I read this last night at an Open Mic reading where everyone was asked to read something celebrating Black History Month.  I had remembered reading that Gwendolyn Brooks had passed away in December. . . she was always one of my favorites from the time that I first read her in high school.  So, I wrote this, and it was well received by the audience. . . most of whom had also known of her passing. . . she was truly one the most dynamic voices of American Poetry, and I'm glad that we will always have her words to remind us where we've been, and how far we have yet to go.

I wonder if they still hear you?
if they hear your voice over the
          BOOM BOOM BOOM
of the bass line
imparting wisdom and love to the
          next generation

I wonder if they still read you?
if they can read your words under the
          SWING SWING SWING
of the lone bulb
inspiring them to be more than they are
          to lead the way

I wonder if they still see you?
if they can see your figure in the
          FLASH FLASH FLASH
of the stoplights
late at night, arms open wide
          asking, "Why?"

they may not have heard you,
but you heard them,
           giving voice to their cries
they may not have read you,
but you read them,
           giving words to their songs
they may not have seen you,
but you saw them,
           and you showed them to us

Thank you Gwen. . .

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To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

1 posted 2001-02-15 01:51 PM

You've given me someone new to read....well done Sven....

Dopey Dope

Moderator

Member Patricius

since 2000-08-30

Posts 11132
San Juan, Puerto Rico

2 posted 2001-02-15 02:27 PM

very nicely written and a wonderful tribute to a fabulous writer.

I was born myself, raised myself, and will continue to be myself. The world will just have to adjust.

I'm in love with my shadow
I admire it daily

Irish Rose
Member Patricius

since 2000-04-06

Posts 10263

3 posted 2001-02-15 03:55 PM

This is very interesting, I've never been to one of these "open mics" maybe someday I will go!

"When red-haired girls scamper like roses over the rain-green grass,
and the sun drips honey."
Laurie Lee

Allan Riverwood

Member Elite

since 2001-01-04

Posts 3502
Winnipeg

4 posted 2001-04-22 10:49 AM

I love this, Sven. What an excellent example of your own skill, and a marvelous tribute.

Thanks for sharing it with us all.
~Allan

Build a man a fire, and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
~Unknown

LoveBug

Moderator

Member Elite

since 2000-01-08

Posts 4697

5 posted 2001-04-23 06:08 PM

Sven, this is a beautiful tribute to a lady I'm sure was a great poet. I especally love the last stanza. Very well-written, I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks for sharing.

"Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel."-Machiavelli
Blame Canada!

anonymous albert ?

Member Elite

since 2001-03-23

Posts 2979

6 posted 2001-04-26 07:05 PM

i really liked this..
the discription
and the way u written this poem
very interesting..
keep writing

...?

death is not the greatest loss in life. the greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live. -norman cousins

kaile

Member Ascendant

since 2000-02-06

Posts 5146
singapore

7 posted 2001-04-28 10:03 PM

a fine tribute and this reminds me that i really should get hold of a copy of Gwendolyn Brooks' poems soon

joycerogers
Member

since 2001-05-16

Posts 83
Texas

8 posted 2001-05-18 11:36 AM

Gwen was, to say the least, very thought provoking. Her style had a very different flavor from the other poets such as Maya and Nikki. Thank you for such a beautiful tribute to her.

O Morning...wrap yourself around me today. Let me experience the peace I see in you.

Joyce Rogers

[This message has been edited by joycerogers (edited 05-18-2001).]

Alwye

Moderator

Member Elite

since 1999-06-16

Posts 3850
In the space between moments

9 posted 2001-05-20 12:58 PM

A wonderful tribute Sven, great writing here!

I bet it was awesome to hear you read this.

*Krista Knutson*

"We can all become what we aspire to be
If Heaven's here on Earth..." ~Tracy Chapman

Sven

Member Laureate

since 1999-11-23

Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA

10 posted 2001-05-20 01:19 PM

Thanks to everyone that's replied. . .

If you have a chance, I would encourage you to pick up one of her books of poetry. . . I'm sure that you'll be surprised. . .

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To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

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