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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.

Copyright © Karen Jones | Year Posted 2023

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Randy Freie Date: 4/21/2024 12:41:00 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. Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 4/21/2024 3:54:00 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 Date: 2/29/2024 5:11:00 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.. Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 2/29/2024 7:13:00 AM I love that! Thanks and hugs dear Nancy!

Alex Antonov Date: 10/30/2023 1:18:00 PM Such beauty in this text! Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/30/2023 3:08:00 PM Alex thanks!

Lynn D. Date: 10/24/2023 6:48:00 AM Beautifully written! Intelligent! Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/24/2023 12:06:00 PM I appreciate you reading this one especially Lynn. Thanks again. Hugs

Regina Elliott Date: 10/22/2023 6:26:00 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. Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/22/2023 6:45:00 AM Thank you Regina! Have a blessed day as well!

Gershon Wolf Date: 10/18/2023 8:17:00 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 Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/18/2023 8:21:00 PM You made me giggle. It's a joy just to have you read and comment. Thanks for that Gershon.

Sotto Poet Date: 10/18/2023 4:22:00 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. Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/18/2023 5:23:00 PM Agreed dear poet. Hugs

I Am Anaya Date: 10/17/2023 9:44:00 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 Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/17/2023 9:55:00 AM Love your wonderful comments and thanks for your interesting input I Am Anaya!

Jerry Brotherton Date: 10/17/2023 8:15:00 AM A wonderful tribute to Black Poetry Day. It is true, everyone has a voice worth hearing. But unfortunately, most will never be heard. Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/17/2023 9:24:00 AM Thank you for your ear and compliment Jerry!

Cindy Bahl Date: 10/17/2023 1:08:00 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 Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/17/2023 1:38:00 AM Cindy I appreciate you taking time to read my poems. This one especially. Thanks.

Ink Empress Date: 10/17/2023 12:53:00 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 Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/17/2023 12:58:00 AM I am so happy you read it and left such kind comments Ink Empress! Thank you so much.:0)

Hilda Greenhough Date: 10/16/2023 6:48:00 PM Thank you for this poem. It means a lot to me. Every Black person should read it. Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/16/2023 11:47:00 PM Hilda hugs. I am honored you feel this way. Thank you.

Abdullah Alhemaidy Date: 10/16/2023 3:00:00 PM Hello Karen :-) Beautiful read! Have a great day with best hope and warms wishes. AA Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/16/2023 3:09:00 PM Hello Abdullah. Thanks for visiting my page and leaving a kind comment! Love and light to you. K

Panagiota Romios Date: 10/16/2023 12:55:00 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, Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/16/2023 1:14:00 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 Date: 10/16/2023 12:47:00 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. Login to Reply Christopher Flaherty Date: 10/16/2023 1:48:00 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 Date: 10/16/2023 1:08:00 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 Date: 10/16/2023 12:48:00 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 Date: 10/16/2023 11:25:00 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. Login to Reply Karen Jones Date: 10/16/2023 11:32:00 AM Well said poet. Hugs thanks for your comment.