Today’s Black History Month Meditation: Saeed Jones

Mr. Jones launched into my view via Debbie Millman’s Design Matters podcast. His charm and ebullient manner shined brightly.

I find Saeed Jones’ work evocative and insightful. His meter and flow challenge me and my own work. I hope you find his work delightful too.

Read his bio on PoetryFoundation.org

A Black History Month Poet: Maya Angelou

As it’s Black History Month, I felt it appropriate to remind people of the brilliant legacy of Black Poets. Today I start with the legendary Maya Angelou. Facing down the brutality of her childhood, I see her as one of the great souls of human history. This particular quote speaks loudly to me, laden with wisdom. 



A Meditation On Rumi

I adore Rumi. The wisdom within his poetry has long guided me. 

Within this small line: the importance of faith. Not necessarily directed toward any particular diety. Simply regarding our community. 

Our futures are unknowable until they become our past. Even then meaning slowly gets gleaned. 

I live with a dangerous mindset: desiring to understand all the ramifications of a choice before I act. This impossibility risks paralyzing me. Often, it has. Losing opportunity out of fear? That’s sad. 

I need to embrace that the way will appear when it needs to, and not a moment before. And that this way is good, it is for the best. 

Believe the unknown and uncontrollable are not reasons to hide, to wait, relegating opportunity to vapor. 

A morning meditation on Rumi

I adore Rumi. The wisdom within his poetry has long guided me. 

Within this small line: the importance of faith. Not necessarily directed toward any particular diety. Simply regarding our community. 

Our futures are unknowable until they become our past. Even then meaning slowly gets gleaned. 

I live with a dangerous mindset: desiring to understand all the ramifications of a choice before I act. This impossibility risks paralyzing me. Often, it has. Losing opportunity out of fear? That’s sad. 

I need to embrace that the way will appear when it needs to, and not a moment before. And that this way is good, it is for the best. 

Believe the unknown and uncontrollable are not reasons to hide, to wait, relegating opportunity to vapor. 

Black History Month Meditation 1: Langston Hughes

Reading Langston Hughes 

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p style=”font-family:’Helvetica Neue’, Arial, sans, sans-serif;”>And about his vocational drifting 

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p style=”font-family:’Helvetica Neue’, Arial, sans, sans-serif;”>I have a thing for the wanderer 

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p style=”font-family:’Helvetica Neue’, Arial, sans, sans-serif;”>My own career meanders 

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p style=”font-family:’Helvetica Neue’, Arial, sans, sans-serif;”>Weaving back and forth 

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p style=”font-family:’Helvetica Neue’, Arial, sans, sans-serif;”>Vibrancy within each step 

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p style=”font-family:’Helvetica Neue’, Arial, sans, sans-serif;”>I’m spending Black History Month exploring black ports and their great works. Langston Hughes came to mind first. I’m also thinking of Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison. Do you have ideas? I’d love to hear about up-and-coming poets. 

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