This morning I went walking … speed walking. During my walk, I thought about the sacrifices Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made for so many of us. When I returned from my walk, I read Nikki Giovanni’s poem “The Funeral of Martin Luther King Jr.” Giovanni wrote the poem on April 9, 1968. Click on the Cinchcast audio blog to hear me read the poem. I also read my poem “The Word” from my new book That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’s Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery.
What is your favorite word?
Here are six of my favorite words: Poetry. Jazz. Earth. Soul stories unfold.
Enjoy your day and week!
Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for Dr. King and his teachings on love,
I started my morning with poetry about intention and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Listen to my audio blog below that celebrates U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan’s poem “Intention” and my poem “1968/2008” about my family on Easter Sunday in 1968. My poem comes from my new book That Which Awakens Me. Enjoy!
Do you have a six-word memoir that expresses how you feel today? Here’s mine: Poetry. Jazz. Earth. Resurrect my soul.
How did you celebrate Easter?
Have a great week!
Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for poets like Kay Ryan and leaders like Dr. King,
In honor of National Poetry Month, I thought I would share several videos featuring my brothalove poet Tim’m West. Tim’m is an amazing creative soul. He has been a major inspiration in my work. I wrote about Tim’m in my new book That Which Awakens Me. Check out the videos below featuring Tim’m and me reading a poem about Tim’m. Enjoy!
Do you have a six-word memoir for today? Mine is Poetry.Jazz.Earth. Baptize me today.
Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for poetical souls like Tim’m,
Here is a great video that promotes Earth awareness and poetry. It features the March 19th Symposium on the First Anthology of Nature Writing by African-American Poets. It celebrates Black Nature, the first-ever anthology of nature writing by African-American poets. It was edited by poet and Professor Camille Dungy. Dungy teaches at San Francisco State University. It is long! So get ready for a wonderful juicy experience! Enjoy!
I started my morning with yoga, meditation, and Reiki. My sun salutation practice was truly juicy. I listened to jazz musician Duke Ellington’sBlack, Brown and Beige CD, a jazzsymphony written for his first concert at Carnegie Hall, on January 23, 1943. I discuss Black, Brown and Beige in my debut novel Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One. His composition “Come Sunday” featuring Mahalia Jackson plays a key role. Click on the YouTube video below to listen to a part of the CD. It is one of my favorites!
Did you know Ellington’s full name was Edward Kennedy Ellington? He was born on April 29, 1899 to James Edward Ellington and Daisy Kennedy Ellington in Washington, DC. He lived a long, creative, and fulfilling life as a pianist, composer, and band leader. FYI He led his band from 1923 until his death on May 24, 1974.
Click on the my Cinchcast audio blog below to hear Ethelbert’s poetry quote, Shange’s poem, and my Twitter poetry (an excerpt from That Which Awakens Me) Enjoy!
When you think of jazz on a Fridays what songs come to mind?
Do you have any favorite poems about music? If so, what are the titles? Who are the poets?
Do you have a six-word memoir for Friday? My six-word memoir is Poetry. Jazz. Earth. Shange. Duke. Gaia. What do you think?
Have a great weekend!
Peace, Creativity, Compassion, Gratitude for Shange’s poetry, Duke’s jazz, and Gaia’s planet,
Ananda Leeke 