Since it is poetry month, I have decided to write my blog about my favorite poet because she inspires me so much. Her name is Nikki Giovanni. I like her because she speaks in a language that I can understand and relate to. Nikki Giovanni’s famous poem Ego Trippin makes me feel proud to be black. I like poetry because it allows you to look at something in a new way. When I read poetry I learn how to be more creative and express my feelings in a different way. Even though poetry seems like it has no rules, I have learned that there are lots poetic forms, like sonnets (14 lines each) or haikus (3 lines each with a syllable count like this: 5 – 7 – 5). But even though I studied these forms, I also got to create my own form (7 syllables in each line and there are 7 lines). Being able to get out there and write my own poetry is why I love Nikki Giovanni.
Her first book came out in 1968, a year before she had her son. Since then she has written almost thirty books. Here are some great lines from Ego Trippin:
I am so hip - even my errors are correct
I turned myself into myself-and was Jesus!
The tears from my birth pains created the Nile
He gave me Rome for Mother’s Day
I mean ... I ... can fly
like a bird in the sky ...
In part because of her work, I was able to write this poem, which is how I will close my blog out today.
Where I’m From
I’m from the house that plays loud Bob Marley music
I’m from my mom making mashed potatoes
I’m from every new ipod, laptop, cell phone and TVI’m from my friends coming to my birthday parties and going shopping
with them
Buying all the cute baby phat shirts and skinny jeans
I’m from my fashion designs
I’m from the Louis Vuitton bags
I’m from the soft sheets on my bed
I’m from people loving all my blogs
I’m from many New Year’s Eves with all the fireworks
gleaming in the sky
I’m from Kwanzaa celebrations to Christmas parties to baby showers to Easter dinners
I’m from my pre-K Little Sun People
I’m from my family
Most importantly I’m from my house that plays loud Bob Marley music.
c. 2010 by Nisa Rashid
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Bravo! Keep writing. I am a poet. I had one poem published in Essence magazine. I love Ego Tripping too. I liked how it was performed on the show, A Different World.
ReplyDeleteI like to our youth enjoy poetry and write it.
mommy doesn't blast music. hmmph. just kididng! i looooooovvvvvveeee this poem. i could use to get others to write. i love you so, mommy
ReplyDeleteHey Nisa baby,
ReplyDeleteI love your poem! But more than that, I love the expressive & intelligent young lady you are becoming. It is great that you spend time considering where you're from. It helps prepare you to take on where you're going. The crativity you talked about developing through poetry - the ability to see things in a different way - this will serve you the rest of your life. I love you and I'm so proud of you. Keep up the good work sweetie!
Love,
Uncle Warren
Your poem was unfinished, you are not a product of your friends, your friends are a product of you. You created this world probably based on music but the result is too simplified. I hope you are more than you write.
ReplyDeleteNisa, I love this poem. You really express yourself well. Your poem makes me want to write about where I'm from.
ReplyDeleteIt's Tajamika
ReplyDeleteDear Moron aka Poetry Police - She is her writing and so much more. Thankfully she lives in an environment that supports her ongoing unfoldment. I hope you find the same for yourself.
ReplyDelete