Thursday, May 17, 2018

Queen Oprah

I can barely write poetry anymore.

I just want to write to remember.

I'm happy to be on the side of women overcoming their limitations
and I'm happy to be on the side of African Americans overcoming their limitations.

I'm hoping it's all going toward no limitations based on differences.
Just being. Names and categories be damned.

But in the meantime, I'm going to vote for the black woman.

Even if it's Oprah. Maybe especially if it's Oprah.

Come on Mama, let's dance.




Tuesday, May 15, 2018

perfect day, here and now

1. Took my mom and Bruce on a tour of new school, St. Francis Prep.

2. Teaching Gwendolyn Brooks We Real Cool at LaGuardia, having a revelation about the poem, a 180 degree turn, after 20 years of thinking I knew it. Then reading the best of the class's Golden Shovel poems. Kids blowing my mind with their poems. Then looking at Keats with them. Lots of one on one conversations in the room about KEATS!!! with kids that don't normally read anything. Looking them in the eye as I talk to them. Learning from them. Thou still unravished bride of quietness. Ideal class.

3. Watching both my girls, 6 and 8, erupt in peals of laughter over dinner.