Poetry | ROUTES

Yolande “Nikki” Giovanni Jr. was a fierce poet and activist

Ronald Bunn — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:37:11 +0000

Yolande “Nikki” Giovanni Jr. was a prominent poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Born on June 7, 1943, Giovanni made significant contributions throughout her career

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“Love’s Different Angles” Crossword Puzzle

Ronald Bunn — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:00:17 +0000

“Love’s Different Angles” Crossword Puzzle by Ronald Bunn revolves around the theme of love. Expect words or phrases associated with love, famous quotes, song titles,

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Paul Laurence Dunbar — the caged birds sing “Happy Birthday”

Marion Coleman — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:06:41 +0000

Paul Laurence Dunbar was a prominent African-American poet, novelist and short story writer who rose to fame in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

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Oscar Brown Brought African-American Daily Life into Focus

Ron Scott — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:50:30 +0000

Through the 20th century and into the 21st century, a string of African-American male singers have graced stages throughout the United States — singing the

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Poet Jamarhl Crawford’s To the Queen

Ronald Bunn — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 10:00:10 +0000

An ode to the the pure beautiful Black Woman — she is underneath all the muck of this world. The poem begins: “You remind me

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Poet Peter-Charles Rainmaker Seaton’s uncle Sam

Ronald Bunn — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 07:43:47 +0000

“uncle Sam” is a satirical look at the United States of America and how it’s run — it’s a poem about how people historically have been feeding

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Poet Ngoma’s Just Anutha Nigga From Palestine

Ronald Bunn — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 10:02:36 +0000

A former member of Amiri Baraka’s “The Spirit House Movers and Players” and the contemporary freedom song duo “Serious Bizness”, Ngoma weaves poetry and song

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Poet Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz’s Follow the Sun

Ronald Bunn — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 10:33:41 +0000

From Dr. Sealey-Ruiz’s first book, Love from the Vortex, “Follow the Sun” is a poem about laying oneself bare both to oneself and her beloved;

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Phillis Wheatley Peters first Published Enslaved African Poet

Ellen Levitt — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 13:58:51 +0000

Phillis Wheatley Peters (c. 1753-54 – December 5, 1784) was born in West Africa (present day Gambia or Senegal), captured as a child, and sold

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Abiodun Oyewole’s Open House with African-American Poets

Abiodun Oyewole — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 10:24:37 +0000

For over forty years every Sunday I have been conducting an Open House in my apartment in Harlem. It started with me taking a number

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Ernestine Johnson Performs Her Poetic “The Average Black Girl”

Ronald Bunn — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 09:56:51 +0000

Just have a look at, and listen to, Ernestine Johnson’s poetical description of “The Average Black Girl” while appearing on the Arsenio Hall Show —

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The African American Father

Abiodun Oyewole — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 18:45:30 +0000

Ripped from the womb of mother Africa

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Protest

Abiodun Oyewole — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 11:34:06 +0000

If You Were Born Black, In America, You Were Born Under Protest

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Nick Cannon I Can’t Breathe

Ronald Bunn — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 17:48:43 +0000

I CAN’T BREATHE AGAIN is the title of a poem written and performed by Nick Cannon. I was very surprised when my niece told me about the poem. I never connected Nick Cannon with any thing political. This poem is one of the most impacting poems I’ve heard. I am personally giving Nick Cannon the honorary Last Poets award.

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Blue skies over Harlem

Abiodun Oyewole — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 10:03:57 +0000

Blue Skies Over Harlem, Sun Shinning On Brown Faces, Wearing Masks, Walking Down 125Th St. ...

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Paint A Picture

Abiodun Oyewole — Thu, 28 May 2020 23:07:33 +0000

I Painted A Picture

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We Came

Abiodun Oyewole — Fri, 22 May 2020 08:08:00 +0000

We Came Here To Live
From The Womb Of Human Space

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The Silver Lining

Abiodun Oyewole — Sat, 16 May 2020 08:34:41 +0000

We‘re Stuck In A Dark Gray Cloud Searching For A Way Out Looking For A Ray Of Sunlight Praying For A Miracle Our Ancestors Are Watching God Sees And Hears Us We Must Become Our Own Salvation This Is The Silver Lining To Love Each-Other More To Perform More Acts Of Kindness To Strengthen Our Faith To Recreate Ourselves And The Things Around Us This Is The Silver Lining To Brush Off The Dirt Wash Clean Our Bodies, Mind And Soul To Walk In The Light Shine Where Ever We Go This Is The Silver Lining To Read A Book Catch Up With Old Friends Finish What You Started Try Something New To Be Patient With One’S Self Let Wisdom Be Your Mentor Learn How To Meditate Erase The Dark Gray Clouds Paint The Sky With Soft Pastels Of Happy Colors In Our Minds Abiodun 5-14-20

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The Last Poets’ Understand What Black Is

Ronald Bunn — Wed, 06 May 2020 10:30:07 +0000

Earlier today, I was on the phone discussing a future article with Abiodun, one of The Last Poets. I mentioned to him I had, earlier in the day, read on Facebook that Jericho Brown had won a Pulitzer Prize for poetry for his collection "The Tradition". As the conversation continued Abiodun mentioned in passing that The Last Poets and Poet Rita Dove, last year, had been invited to The 50th Rotterdam Poetry Festival 2019.

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We Are Survivors

Abiodun Oyewole — Tue, 05 May 2020 10:00:32 +0000

The legacy of my people Has no equal. We’ve always been divine And a gift to mankind. Snatched from our native land Put on slave ships Treated like animals Beaten with a bullwhip Naked and chained together.

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Be Still

Abiodun Oyewole — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 18:10:25 +0000

Can we be still for a moment? Can we turn off the volume In our minds, Embrace our solitude? There is a volcano Erupting in the world.

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The Nature of Life

Abiodun Oyewole — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 17:47:52 +0000

Be not dismayed By those who have passed. Death is just another breath, Passageway to life. Our ancestors Who built the pyramids knew There is no such thing As someone being dead.

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Unsung Revolutionary L.B. Williams

Perri Gaffney — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 19:18:20 +0000

We are all here on this Earth, in this world, for a heartbeat and then we are gone. We leave behind a thumbprint, an impression, on the lives we’ve touched through our words, our actions, or inactions. Nikki Giovanni wrote:

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His Father’s Keeper

Josclynne Grier — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 07:15:53 +0000

He had been there.
After the game, the war, after the track meet,
before breakfast on Saturday mornings…and
when diapers had to be changed and the girl's
curls and ribbons had to be rearranged.

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Summerstage presents Poet Liza Jessie Peterson

Ronald Bunn — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 06:36:26 +0000

Liza Jessie Peterson is a renowned actress, poet, playwright, educator and activist who has been steadfast in her commitment to incarcerated populations both professionally and

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Remembering Muhammad Ali

Ronald Bunn — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 06:08:26 +0000

Last week, after hearing about the death of Muhammad Ali, I telephoned my good friend Barbara Lewis and asked her “How has Muhammad Ali influenced

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“Food For Thought”

Ronald Bunn — Thu, 12 May 2016 07:23:16 +0000

Saturday, May 14, 2016, 8pm & 10:30pm Ashford & Simpson’s SUGAR BAR 254 West 72nd Street (Between Broadway & West Avenue) Manhattan Phyllis Yvonne Stickney’s

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Form and Feeling—The Making of Concretism

Ive — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 21:56:43 +0000

Monday, February 8, 10:00am to 5:00pm The Bronx Museum 1040 Grand Concourse 718-681-6000 Bronx The conference Form and Feeling: The Making of Concretism is the

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Free For All – The Spinning Wheel – Street Art Poetics

Ronald Bunn — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 18:57:29 +0000

Through February 21, 2016 BRIC Arts – Media House 647 Fulton Street 718 – 683 5600 Brooklyn Related to the BRIC Fireworks Project, The Spinning Wheel,

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Free for all – BRIC TV Studio – B-Side – Chelsea Reject

Ronald Bunn — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 18:37:14 +0000

February 18, 2016, 7:30pm-9:00pm 647 Fulton Street (718) 683-5600 Brooklyn Chelsea Reject was born in Brooklyn, NY to Jamaican and St. Lucian parents Lucinda and Antoine

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Free For All – Schomburg Center – Before 5pm – “The Life, Love and Legacy of Audre Lorde”

Ronald Bunn — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 09:26:31 +0000

Wednesday, February 17, 2016, 2pm 515 Malcolm X Boulevard 917 – 275 6975 Harlem Interviewed a few months prior to her death, feminist poet, author

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IT Is All A Dream, Right?

Ronald Bunn — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 09:03:35 +0000

I was told with age, comes wisdom, and clarity. Every morning I rise 6 foot something inches towards heavens blue dome. Patiently I’ve progressed only

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“Braving The Odds” & “Under The Elevated”

Barbara B. Lewis — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 08:14:54 +0000

Braving the Odds depicts and explores Street Style. Under The Elevated – A Poem. Just before New Year’s Eve, 2016, I took this photograph

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Spoken Word Open Mic

Ive — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 09:53:32 +0000

January 9, 2016 · 9:30pm BRIC House Stoop 647 Fulton Street (718) 683-5600 Brooklyn A night of poetry and Hip Hop, featuring Steve Dalachinsky, Magdalena

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“Bronx Stories” – Fifth-Year Anniversary

Ive — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 16:09:15 +0000

Friday, January 8, 6:30pm to 9:00pm The Bronx Museum of the Arts 1040 Grand Concourse Bronx Celebrate the five-year anniversary of Bronx Stories with a

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“The Spinning Wheel” – Street Art Poetics

Ive — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 21:09:05 +0000

Through February 21, 2016 · All Day BRIC Arts – Media House 647 Fulton Street 718-683 5600 Brooklyn Related to the BRIC Fireworks Project, The

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The First Book Published by an African-American: Poet Phillis Wheatley (ca. 1754-1784)

Ive — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:34:59 +0000

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division 515 Malcolm X Boulevard (917) 275-6975 Harlem Phillis Wheatley (ca. 1754-1784) was

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Brooklyn Poetry Slam

Ive — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 06:25:58 +0000

December 2, 2015 · 7:00pm Stoop at BRIC House 647 Fulton Street Brooklyn An intergenerational showcase of Brooklyn-based poets, responding to the art

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SOUL! Ellis Haizlip, Bill Withers, McCoy Tyner

Ronald Bunn — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 08:28:39 +0000

Ellis Haizlip, the host of “SOUL!” and many other endeavors in the 1960s, 1970s & 1980s, was one of the staunchest supporters of African-American culture. Radio

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“Who is Gil Scott-Heron?” plus Interview

Ronald Bunn — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 15:09:42 +0000

We learn why the “Revolution Will Not Be Televised” poet Gill Scot-Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdqLAeyqVr8

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Friday Freshen Up with Wordsmith

Ive — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 12:14:02 +0000

Friday, August 28, 2015, 6:00pm–7:00pm West Harlem Piers Park West 125 Street Manhattan Hip Hop artist and songwriter, Wordsmith has outgrown and overcome the negative

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Langston Hughes’ Tales of Simple: “Coffee Break”

Ronald Bunn — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 04:24:28 +0000

A couple of days ago, I thought about including a literary author in my Website offerings. I was at a lost for who it should

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George Washington Carver “The Plant Doctor”

Ronald Bunn — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 09:04:51 +0000

An inspiring read that this was a favorite poem of George Washington Carver. Favorite poem of George Washington Carver (January 1864—January 5, 1943): pppEquipment Courage

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Darius Simpson & Scout Bostley – “Lost Voices”

Ronald Bunn — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 21:46:38 +0000

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“I Waited for You”

Ronald Bunn — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 06:50:29 +0000

A poetic approach to wedding vows.

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Black Joy in the Hour of Chaos

Ronald Bunn — Sun, 31 May 2015 22:01:00 +0000

Beginning May 15, 2015-June 20, 2015 The Great Hill – Enter at W. 106th Street & Central Park West Fridays & Saturdays Performances every 28 Minutes between 12–5:30pm Manhattan Black Joy in the

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Notes of A Native Song

Ronald Bunn — Sun, 31 May 2015 18:07:56 +0000

June 3–6, 2015, 7:30pm June 6 & 7, 2015, 2pm Harlem Stage Gatehouse 150 Convent Avenue (West 135th Street) Harlem Native Song is a live

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The Brooklyn Poetry Slam

Ronald Bunn — Wed, 20 May 2015 22:01:22 +0000

May 21, 2015, 7:00pm-9:00pm Stoop at BRIC House 647 Fulton Street (Enter on Rockwell Place) Brooklyn An intergenerational showcase where Brooklyn-based poets investigate art work

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POEMobile

Ronald Bunn — Fri, 01 May 2015 10:58:53 +0000

Thursday, May 7, 2015, 7:00pm PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature, NYC The Studio Museum in Harlem 144 West 125th Street Manhattan Mo Beasley, Toni

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Translation Slam

Ronald Bunn — Fri, 01 May 2015 10:43:47 +0000

Friday, May 8, 2015, 7:00pm PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature, NYC Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street New York Allison M. Charette, Marjolijn

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African Poets: The New Generation

Ronald Bunn — Fri, 01 May 2015 10:31:59 +0000

Thursday, May 7, 2015, 7:00pm PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature, NYC Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street New York With Chris Abani, Kwame Dawes

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The Literary Mews at NYU

Ronald Bunn — Fri, 01 May 2015 10:17:43 +0000

Friday, May 8, 2015, 10:30am PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature, NYC Washington Mews at NYU Manhattan Gaiutra Bahadur, Eric Banks, Rebecca Falkoff, Ifeona Fulani, Kaiama L. Glover, Ann

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Brown Girl Dreaming

Ronald Bunn — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 12:07:01 +0000

Monday, April 27, 2015, Noon-2:30pm Gold Room, Student Center Brooklyn College Brooklyn (718) 951-5771 Taking place in Columbus, Ohio, Greenville, South Carolina and Brooklyn, New

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