Alright, folks, it's our second week for Roll Call and April is National Poetry Month so this week's assignment is all about poetry. Not a poetry reader, no problem, by the end of this exercise, you might not be inspired to write a poem but I'm hoping you will discover poets and a genre you'll want to explore more. Complete one or all of the following:1) Post a poem by a woman of color. Your choice must be a poet who has written in the last forty years. Do your best to avoid the most anthologized, popular poets unless poetry is new terrority for you. In that case, check out why the popular poets are well loved.
2) Tell us why you like the poem you chose. Don't worry about the technical aspects of writing poetry, devices or forms. Give us your reader's response. How does it make you feel or what does it make you think about? What questions does it raise for you?
3) If you are a poetry reader and you can recommend a contemporary woman poet of color, who do you recommend and why? I would really love to hear about emerging or lesser known poets. Introduce us to poets from around the world.
Please remember to provide citation for the work you post. Provide links and interesting trivia if you like. Be creative.
For those of you who need a jumping off point, google these poets: Audre Lorde, Sonia Sanchez, Naomi Shiab Nye, Sandra Cisneros, Toi Derricotte, Lucille Clifton, Merle Collins, Maxine Kumin and Marilyn Nelson. I am purposely leaving off the one poet most of us know- Ms. Maya Angelou because if we know any famous black woman poet, we know Ms. Angelou. Remember the aim here is discovery. I realize I gave you a time frame, gender and limited it to women of color. Rather than see these terms as limits, consider it a focus especially if you have no idea where to begin.
Please create a post on your blog and leave a link here. Do check out other participants' posts and comment. You have a week. Looking forward to hearing what you enjoy.
Happy reading.
22 comments:
I'm ashamed to say I don't read much poetry, even though most of my close friends are hardcore poets...but this is a great chance for me to feature some of their work--thanks!
love this assignment! i couldn't pick just one, but i had to :-(. I look forward to more weekly assignments.
Oh, readers, do join us. I've been by Rethabile's place and D's. You are in for a treat. Go by.
On my way to Zetta's place.
I put in a link to a review of Miss Crandall's School For Young Ladies and Little Misses of Color by Marilyn Nelson and Elizabeth Alexander I wrote the post last year so I hope that's OK. It's such a great book of sonnets on a historical school in CT.
Thanks Andromeda,
I heard Ms. Nelson read year before last, I think. I can't remember if she mentioned working on this work. At any rate, I do remember your review. Thanks for the linking to it.
I am still searching for a poem and if I don't link to one its because a perfect fit for myself at this time.
Doret, take your time. You have a week. I haven't made up my mind either.
Great prompt. I had fun doing this! I'm off to head off to see what the others have posted.
Yeah, so like I told Ali over at Worducopia, I'm doing this with comics. I don't know a whole lotta poetry either.
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Hi Rich, That's cool, but remember the purpose of these assignments is to stretch and learn. I enjoy tapping into what others' know and love. I also appreciate an opportunity to learn something new. I hope you're reading and commenting to others' contributions.
Hi, B-E - thanks for your welcoming comment inviting me to post here, it was a great welcome home. Really challenged me as I stared at the gaping hole in my bookcase. Enjoyed going on my google hunt though.
I have a poem on my blog. I love Black poetry. My poem is written by a very young person proving the young, sometimes, are more wise than us older ones. I love this book. It's title is "Quiet Storm."
I can't wait to get around to all the blogs. I want to read the other poems people picked.
Now, I admit I know more black poets than any other group, but friends you are not limited to black women. The assignment says women of color that would mean Asian, Latina, Middle Eastern, Native American....
Mr. Linky's is a kewl new tool! More blogs need to pick it up!!
I'm not much into poetry either, so, I'm just taking the opportunity to share a l'il something from my all time favorite. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do!
I posted a poem by Elizabeth Alexander. She's a superstar now, but I liked her before she was famous.
I don't read that many contemporary poets, but I am branching out. Check out my post!
I love poetry. I would love to know how to write it.
May I use your C.O.R.A. label on my blog? I want to give you credit in the right way. There is still a lot I don't know about blogging. If it's a dumb question, please excuse.
I had to return to a favorite poet. The poem was speaking to me today and I couldn't seem to shake it.
What a fantastic response to this week's prompt. Thank you all!
Great responses to last week's question. Any other takers on this week's? It's posted on Worducopia: http://worducopia.blogspot.com/2009/04/roll-call-around-world.html. Must get to my own response tomorrow or Thursday--I hope to see some others, too!
Ali,
I'll be by. Tea responded but didn't leave her link. I'll add it.
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