Poetry Corner

One year after Breonna Taylor's senseless murder, poet Bernadine "Dine" Watson pays tribute across space, time and sameness.

Rosemari Mealy’s exquisite poem takes us on an enduring, emotional journey to the post-emancipation period now known as Juneteenth.

“She was a person of the folks,” said poet and literary critic Sterling Brown who sheds love and light in this poem simply titled Ma Rainey.

Do not remember me as a bridge nor a roof / as the maker of legends / nor as a trap

Now you understand / Just why my head’s not bowed / I don’t shout or jump about / Or have to talk real loud.

And how you swore, if somebody beeped the bell, And how my heart played hopscotch if the telephone rang;

And how you swore, if somebody beeped the bell, And how my heart played hopscotch if the telephone rang;

I stand still above an island, fist straight in the air / Scar on my face, thick braids in my hair

in the night / in my half hour / negro dreams / i hear voices knocking at the door

Celestial choir! enthron'd in realms of light, Columbia's scenes of glorious toils I write.