(Graphic Design is also a new trail, I am venturing down. Please excuse typo (for), trying new graphics program. After saving, could not figure how to edit and correct. PicMonkey is still a work in process.
The uncertainty of writing this first poem was less stressful after reading a quote by William Wordsworth who defined, “poetry as the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”
This poem is a strong expression of fear and anxiety for the safety of not only my grandsons; but, the grandsons and sons of all Black mothers and grandmothers in this country.
There were three reasons why I decided to write this poem:
I was Challenged by Imani a blogging friend who challenged me to try. Grateful to Imani who encouraged me to step up and give it a shot.
I was Prompted by this quote by Ella Baker, a Civil Rights Activists in the 1960s:
“Until the killing of black men, black mothers’ sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother’s son, we who believe in freedom cannot rest until this happens.”
I was Provoked by the unusual circumstances surrounding the deaths of Trayvon Martin (Hoodie), Michael Brown (Jaywalking), Jordan Davis (Loud Music), John Crawford (BB Gun), and Eric Garner (Selling Untaxed Cigarettes).
After writing this poem, the next step is to try to remember what I learned about poetry as a high school student.
Okay, reality check; the likelihood of remembering what I learned more than fifty-five years ago is nil.
So, as a start, I will begin a Google search on poetry writing — starting with http://www.dummies.com.
