Karen Jones Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Black Poetry Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated each year on October 17. The day was chosen because it is the anniversary of the birth of Jupiter Hammon, on October 17, 1711. Hammon is believed to be the first African American born in the Americas to have published a poem

Source per Sommerset County Library 10/2023

Black Poetry Day

My black is majestic my black is smooth
Even when I was banished from public pool
Even if I was portrayed black face fool
I was a raven flying above you.

I am much more than kinky hair
Thick thighs brown eyes and ebony stare
I am the truth if you want or dare
Take my hand and I’ll take you there.

Black is deeper than had been enslaved
Nothing weaker than to steal me away
From my history where I am great
From times mystery of healing faith

October 17th we celebrate
All black poets on black poetry day
You don’t have to know it that you are a poem
written by spirit, fruit of the loin strong.

Most of us poets are not well known
In our hearts we find gem stone home
For literacy and for fuchsia full blown
Purple royal words we call our own.

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Andrea Dietrich July 25, 2026 at 7:54 PM This is so nice, Karen. Glad you pinned it because I missed seeing back when. It really is one of your best poems and something very authentic to you. Karen Jones July 26, 2026 at 6:27 PM You’re so kind to share. Thanks! Gershon once told me I should concentrate on such poems as it is my niche. :0)

Kim Rodrigues July 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM A lovely write! A great discovery of a poet, Jupiter Hammon! I love reading Langston Hughes, who is obviously, more well known. Karen Jones July 22, 2026 at 6:22 AM Thanks! You have great taste and insight!

Victor Buhagiar July 15, 2026 at 2:30 AM USA have many memories. Alas not in Malta. Karen Jones July 15, 2026 at 2:37 AM Really? Is it peaceful in Malta?

Sara Kendrick July 14, 2026 at 4:46 AM Awesome work honoring a person of your culture, Karen. I am sure there are many others who were wonderful writers but choosing the first one published is a good way to go with your work. Sara K. Karen Jones July 14, 2026 at 7:10 AM Thanks for reading Sara!

Oula Willy November 23, 2025 at 11:03 AM I so much dream of mastering techniques and playing with them just as you have done here Karen Jones November 23, 2025 at 11:25 AM I admire your storytelling and free flowing free style skills! Thanks for liking my humble attempts as well!

Randy Freie April 21, 2024 at 12:41 PM Hi Karen, I really like this poem. I pray for the day when people see the person inside instead of the color of their skin suit. Do you think we'll ever see it? Probably not in our lifetime. Keep up the good work baby sister. Karen Jones April 21, 2024 at 3:54 PM We have to have hope that one day we will see it! Thanks for reading and liking this poem Randy! It means a lot!

Nancy Kaufman February 29, 2024 at 5:11 AM Hi Karen, I'm sorry that I didn't see this earlier as it is an outstanding poem. I will also put that date on my calendar for future observance. Blessings.. Karen Jones February 29, 2024 at 7:13 AM I love that! Thanks and hugs dear Nancy!

Alex Antonov October 30, 2023 at 1:18 PM Such beauty in this text! Karen Jones October 30, 2023 at 3:08 PM Alex thanks!

Lynn D. October 24, 2023 at 6:48 AM Beautifully written! Intelligent! Karen Jones October 24, 2023 at 12:06 PM I appreciate you reading this one especially Lynn. Thanks again. Hugs

Regina Elliott October 22, 2023 at 6:26 AM Very beauteous poem, Karen. Your poem is rich with the pride and love of being a black person on God's earth. My very best wishes for your wondrous writing. Have a blessed Sunday. Karen Jones October 22, 2023 at 6:45 AM Thank you Regina! Have a blessed day as well!

Gershon Wolf October 18, 2023 at 8:17 PM This sure is a stirring write, Karen, truly worthy of honoring Black Poetry Day. The pride in your eyes and the fire alive and alight in your heart ring loud and clear, straight and true, throughout each stanza. Methinks so, anyway... By the authority no one has ever invested in me, I now award you 'First Prize' in the 'Black Poetry Day' contest! Congrats! Huzzah! Bounty and blessings, Gershon Karen Jones October 18, 2023 at 8:21 PM You made me giggle. It's a joy just to have you read and comment. Thanks for that Gershon.

Sotto Poet October 18, 2023 at 4:22 PM On this remarkable occasion of Black Poetry Day, we gather to celebrate the profound beauty and power of the African-American literary tradition. In this world, where every soul possesses a unique voice brimming with stories and emotions, it is disheartening to acknowledge that the majority of these voices remain buried, their tales unheard and their brilliance unrecognized. Karen Jones October 18, 2023 at 5:23 PM Agreed dear poet. Hugs

I Am Anaya October 17, 2023 at 9:44 AM Black Poetry Day, honoring Jupiter Hammon, Gwendolyn Brooks among others. It's designed to recognize Jupiter Hammon. He was the first published Black poet in the United States. Born a slave, Hammon is considered the father of African American literature. I remember watching Amanda Gorman at President Biden’s inauguration! Lovey poem tribute Karen, touching. xhugs I Am Anaya Karen Jones October 17, 2023 at 9:55 AM Love your wonderful comments and thanks for your interesting input I Am Anaya!

Jerry Brotherton October 17, 2023 at 8:15 AM A wonderful tribute to Black Poetry Day. It is true, everyone has a voice worth hearing. But unfortunately, most will never be heard. Karen Jones October 17, 2023 at 9:24 AM Thank you for your ear and compliment Jerry!

Cindy Bahl October 17, 2023 at 1:08 AM Karen, Your poem is incredibly powerful, very moving, and quite beautiful. Loved every single line. Here are just a few that jumped out that I love: "I was a raven flying above you." "Black is deeper than had been enslaved Nothing weaker than to steal me away" "You don’t have to know it that you are a poem written by spirit, fruit of the loin strong." I could go on as I LOVE this! Thank you so much for sharing! Take care & keep sharing your lovely poetry! ~ Cindy Karen Jones October 17, 2023 at 1:38 AM Cindy I appreciate you taking time to read my poems. This one especially. Thanks.

Ink Empress October 17, 2023 at 12:53 AM Fuchsia full blown, purple royal words, you are right your skin color doesnt define you, and how beautifully you’ve expressed here too. Sadly in this time and century we still see people judge , based on skin color etc. we need more to speak and write celebrating today. I love so many lines in this! Especially “ i am the truth if you want or dare “ that stanza and also the opening line! Such an empowering , powerful poem this is! Absolutely loved reading this Karen Jones October 17, 2023 at 12:58 AM I am so happy you read it and left such kind comments Ink Empress! Thank you so much.:0)

Hilda Greenhough October 16, 2023 at 6:48 PM Thank you for this poem. It means a lot to me. Every Black person should read it. Karen Jones October 16, 2023 at 11:47 PM Hilda hugs. I am honored you feel this way. Thank you.

Abdullah Alhemaidy October 16, 2023 at 3:00 PM Hello Karen :-) Beautiful read! Have a great day with best hope and warms wishes. AA Karen Jones October 16, 2023 at 3:09 PM Hello Abdullah. Thanks for visiting my page and leaving a kind comment! Love and light to you. K

Panagiota Romios October 16, 2023 at 12:55 PM Beautifully written. You know we all come in different colors. And life was far from easy for many. Our past, our color, our race, our sexual orientation does not make us..great I see people the same It’s your ability to be real that makes ypu great!! I love that Poem. “And Then I rise.!” @Thank you for your great poem and notification of the holiday.@ I have an email Sistah in the hood.for the past 20 years in Chicago. I will email her, your poem. Pangie xx . Like Langston Hughes, Karen Jones October 16, 2023 at 1:14 PM Thanks for reading my poem, for kind comments, and for sharing it with your "Sistah" Pangie. I feel we are all human and really this skin should not be relevant but if you have it life is often different. Hugs Love and Light to you!

Christopher Flaherty October 16, 2023 at 12:47 PM Hello Karen Thanking you first of all for taking your time to comment on one of my poems. And I am so glad you did because I have now read one of yours in return. Personally I always think if I am not of the subject matter my opinion is not relevant out of respect. So as I am not Black how on earth does my own personal opinion matter or should be taken into account at all. But I love and respect your own personal opinion and the pride you express and take in who exactly you are. Christopher Flaherty October 16, 2023 at 1:48 PM Thank you very much Karen You are so right perfect is quite frankly nonsensical what is perfection anyway. Learn and then teach that what which you have learned. Unfortunately hate itself is both taught and learned. Consciousness is up to the individual and whether or not they are interested or can be bothered to experience others Karen Jones October 16, 2023 at 1:08 PM I appreciate your honesty and your opinion is your right. We are human and no one is perfect. We live act react teach and learn together if we are lucky. I think it is as if we throw a pebble in the water of consciousness. We don't know the affects of the ripple and we hope for the best in its return karma. I am glad you stop by and I am interested in your experiences not just my own so don't be afraid to share. Hugs Christopher Flaherty October 16, 2023 at 12:48 PM And quite rightly so you should and extoll and express this. Because it speaks of pride in not only you but where you come from. And then if anyone dare use that in a derogatory way or slur. Thinking it will harm you or make you feel in anyway lesser . You can smile laugh at them and say thank you very much You have just reaffirmed and given me the greatest compliment of all

John Lawless October 16, 2023 at 11:25 AM and when we write we write not words, but truths, not of pain but of spirit. Keep on writing Karen, we all have much to learn, and much to teach. Karen Jones October 16, 2023 at 11:32 AM Well said poet. Hugs thanks for your comment.