April 18, 2013

Poem On Your Blog Day, 2013

With the recent bombing in Boston, I decided at the last minute to post this Yusef Komunyakaa poem for Poem On Your Blog Day:

Rock Me, Mercy

The river stones are listening because we have something to say.
The trees lean closer today.
The singing in the electrical woods has gone down.
It looks like rain, because it is too warm to snow.
Guardian angels,
Wherever you’re hiding, we know you can’t be everywhere at once.
Have you corralled all the pretty wild horses?
The memory of ants asleep and day lilies, roses, holly and larkspur?
The magpies gaze at us, still waiting.
River stones are listening.
But all we can say now is mercy, please rock me.

- Written in Mourning by Yusef Komunyakaa

I stumbled unto this poem while reading poet Ocean Vuong's website. The poem was written in response to the Newtown massacre this past December.

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August 24, 2009

Bloggers & Friends, 2009?

Convo from my Facebook Inbox:

It's probably too late to organize a get-together soon with the end of summer and Labor Day plans in place. But I was thinking about something for early Fall. When it's not too hot, nor too cool. The last one I recall was about three years ago!! Hmmm, the middle weekend of October is looking good.

This would be an update to the original Brunch get-together [A(annual?) Bloggers of Color Dining Extravaganza] organized by photographer, designer and cultural icon Donald Andrew Agarrat.

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June 13, 2009

Love is Patient...

From A Thesis for the Gay and Lesbian Citizens of the State of California News (but really for Queer Folk everywhere):

Love is patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but delights in truth. Love always protects, love always trusts. Love always hopes, love always perseveres, and love never ends. Three gifts have been given to us — they are faith, hope and love — and the greatest of these is love. Therefore, make love your aim.1st Corinthians, Chapter 13

The often-cited quote above is from today's essay by Los Angeles-based freelance musician, singer, and composer Ken Potter. He was inspired by German theologian and Augustinian monk, Dr. Martin Luther's posting of the “95 Thesis” and argues that now is the time for a well-coordinated response, not just protest. I agree.

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June 12, 2009

Celebrate Loving Day

[ VIA Mombian ] :

Surrounded as I am now by wonderful children and grandchildren, not a day goes by that I don't think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the "wrong kind of person" for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people's religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people's civil rights.

I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard's and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That's what Loving, and loving, are all about. (emphasis mine)

From Mildred Loving’s statement of June 12, 2007, the 40th anniversary of the decision in Loving vs. Virgnia (striking down laws against inter-racial marriage).

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May 29, 2009

Reminder: Home To Harlem

I won't mention tomorrow/today's 3rd Annual Black Pack Party Mix and Mingle (google the phrase if you're interested), BEA Saturday when the event is held here in NYC. Instead, here's a reminder for an upcoming and very, very worthy cause:

2009 Spring Benefit | Mosaic Literary Magazine

Join us Sunday, June 7, 2-5pm for some wine, food, and art as we celebrate spring and Mosaic. Proceeds will go to benefit Mosaic Literary Magazine and its education programs.

Featuring poet Cheryl Boyce-Taylor
and the photography of Marcia E. Wilson
(Preview video presentation)

Wine · Food · Art

AALBC.com Brownstone Gallery
64 West 119 St
Harlem NY 10026

Posted by ronn at 10:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

May 16, 2009

A Hymn For Alvin Ailey

VIA Facebook:

Black Public Media Matters: A Free Monthyly Film Series Presented by the New York Public Library and National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC)

Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: NYPL, 115th Street Branch
Street: 203 West 115th Street
City: New York, NY
Phone: 2126669393

A tribute to the late Alvin Ailey featuring performances by choreographer/dancer Judith Jameson, and a performance by artist/actress Anna Deveare Smith.

From Harlem to Haiti, Black Public Media Matters is a film series featuring stories about the global black experience. The stories are told through engaging documentaries and vibrant dramas about today's youth, issues and the performing arts.

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May 08, 2009

Home To Harlem

I know it's late notice, but this is a very, very worthy cause:

2009 Spring Benefit | Mosaic Literary Magazine

Join us Sunday, June 7, 2-5pm for some wine, food, and art as we celebrate spring and Mosaic. Proceeds will go to benefit Mosaic Literary Magazine and its education programs.

Featuring poet Cheryl Boyce-Taylor
and the photography of Marcia E. Wilson
(Preview video presentation)

Wine · Food · Art

AALBC.com Brownstone Gallery
64 West 119 St
Harlem NY 10026

Posted by ronn at 11:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
#FF6600 #990000 #333300 #330000