WRINKLES

One of my sisters sent me a video on Instagram, featuring a delightful, elderly lady named Patricia Bramer Russell Richard.

Patricia read one of the poems, WRINKLES, from her book of poetry: Pat's Poetry. 

And I LOVE it!!!!!!

So, I'm gonna read it here my dang self!!!

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN

Robert Frost, as we all know, is a poetry great!!!

I was introduced to this poem in second grade.

My neighborhood buddy, John-John, read it aloud in front of the class and our teacher, Mrs. Hazelwood.

And now, I'm reading it aloud!!!

DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND WEEP

This poem is engraved on my mother's gravestone.

For that reason alone, I simply HAD to record myself reading it!!!

Interestingly enough, its writer, Mary Elizabeth Frye, wrote the poem in 1932.

That's the same year of my mother's birth.

Well, Mama, aka "Miss Juanita," I miss you and wish you well!!!

HARLEM

Langston Hughes was a trailblazer of the Harlem Renaissance!!!

This particular poem reminds me of my first introduction to Harlem: my performance at Amateur Night at the Apollo.

I was 24 years blessed and had recently uprooted from Indianapolis, IN to fulfill my dream of becoming a world-renowned actor. 

Now, I am 60 years blessed.

And I'm not a world-renowned actor.

Was my dream deferred?

For better or for worse, I want to believe it was.

I refuse to believe it festered like a sore.

I simply refuse. 

A POEM FOR THE CLOSETED

When I saw this fella's poem online, I immediately wondered: who is he?

Is the poem HIS story?

Or someone he knows?

A Poem For The Closeted speaks to feelings that I suspect many men and women have experienced.

Sadly, I suspect there are many who still are.

I hope my reading of this poem reaches its writer: Troy Steadman.

If I ever met him, I'd ask: "Are you really OK?"

And I'd tell him: "Thankfully, I am."

ASH TAYLOR SAID...

I don't think what I'm reading here is an actual poem, but I liked it so much when I came across it online that I just HAD to record it anyway!!!

THE POWER OF THE DOG

Rudyard Kipling certainly had a way with words.

Here, I read his The Power Of The Dog poem.

I tell ya, a dog's love is immeasurable.

And so is the pain we feel when their time with us expires.

LOVE on them ANYWAY!!!!!!!!

AS LONG AS FOREVER

I stumbled across this poem online: As Long As Forever, by Starry Eyes.

Since I love dogs so much---especially German Shepherds---I had to record myself reading it!!!

I'M SO ANGRY

 As I recorded this poem, I couldn't help thinking that I'm soooooo thankful I'M not this angry! 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

GRATITUDE AND LOVE TO GOD

English poet, William Cowper, was quite renowned in his day, so it's a pleasure for me to record a reading of his poem, GRATITUDE AND LOVE TO GOD.

I have to apologize for possibly mispronouncing his surname.

I say possibly because some folks pronounce it COOPER, and others, COW-PER.

Either way, his poetry is music to my ears!!!

GROWING OLD

I often say, "Growing old ain't for the weak."

And I truly believe that!!!

I stumbled across this poem by British poet and literary critic, Matthew Arnold, and felt compelled to record it!!!

COPING

I'm reading COPING by writer, professor and LGBTQ+ advocate, Audre Lorde.