MANA's BLACK LIT ALIVE! is a special segment on literature produced by African American writers from the 18th century and beyond.
In celebration of Valentine's Day, MANA's DR C reads poems by contemporary authors. The poems express romantic love as well as love for a mother, child, or sibling.
Listen to DR C as she reads each poem. Feel free to follow along by reading each poem below:
Now I Know What Love Is
from the book Sweet Ache: Poetry of the Soul by Elesia Powell
I hold you in my arms
Knowing you are as much
A part of me as my own heart
You sigh with relief
Triumphant in this struggle
A prelude to the journey
Innocent eyes captivate me as
I wait for what seems an eternity
Before you call my name
Your first steps taken with trust
Albeit unsteady
As you bloom
My reflection is greater
This is pure love unconditional
As a mother's love should be.
Anaya
from the book A Soldier's Poetic Response: A Slice of His Life by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Adrian D. Massey
I didn't cry when I cut your umbilical cord,
but today, in this dust and heat,
I cried for the first time
because you are not here
with me, but you have taught me something.
Every day I still enjoy your growth,
Your discoveries, the first time you
recognized your own voice, the first time you
laughed. Watching you
in my memories brings me
to consciousness
and the essence of my own life.
Make Me Tingle
from the book Simply: A Collection of Poetry by Jessyca Mathews
I am looking for you
to make me tingle.
From the tips of my fingers,
to the edges of my existence.
Make me tingle,
so I feel alive again.
Jolt me back into my sexual existence.
Make my skin feel tiny bursts of energy,
letting me know that it's all right.
It's all right to be made love to,
to be the object of your affection.
I can feel it now as you kiss me
and lay me down softly on the bed.
I just hope it lasts forever.
The Only Thing Missing Is You
from the book Sweet Ache: Poetry of the Soul by Elesia Powell
Woke up this morning and marveled
at the vacancy in my bed,
but lately that’s my choice.
The pleasure of the insubstantial is so brief.
I shake myself, and I place my hand on the
covers to see if you have fallen down deep
between the foam and the floor.
In the bathroom, I brush my teeth and
wash my face to get a glimpse of who has
done this thing to me.
To my chagrin it is a familiar sight.
The single tear strolling down my cheek
pays homage to your departure now two years ago.
Scrambled eggs, bacon, and coffee,
Place settings at the table like you used to do.
I pause again,
One mat, one plate, one fork, one knife,
And then another tear meander down my cheek.
I got the book deal and bought the Bimmer,
The big one, you know.
I have the house now, the one with all those
Extra bedrooms for your family and mine, our family.
I have everything I ever wanted.
I finish breakfast and head to my office
To open the mail and what a surprise
There is a note from you.
Hello, just wanted to say congratulations!
I hear your struggle has paid off.
I now you are doing well.
I am busy too, new husband, new baby and
A very small house
In which nothing fits,
But I love it.
Wishing all the best
Love you forever E.
Drawing the letter across
My face, I breathe deeply
To get a hint of your fragrance.
Yes, there it is a trace of you.
Neatly folding the letter back into
The envelope, I place it in the drawer
Next to the old stamps, the keys
From our first apartment and the
Photo of you reciting at our favorite
Spot on the day we met.
You Bring Me Romance
from the book Autism—Poetic Pride: A Collection of Poetry by "Queen" Anya Rutz
You bring me romance
You bring me laughter
You opened up for me a new chapter
A new happily ever after.
You help me reach
So many things to me you teach
You help me, indeed
You help me succeed.
You help me not hurt or bleed
A red rose is just for you
My music for you I will perform.
Click on the title of each book to read more poems on this blog from each author.
Have you written a collection of poems, a narrative, or prose that you would like to self-publish? MANA can help. Contact MANA today at info@marketingnewauthors.com
Explore this blog to find other segments of MANA's BLACK LIT ALIVE.
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