Poetry is a creative form of expression used to portray different topics. During past years, writers have used poetry to voice the obstacles and experiences Black men and women face. For Black History Month, here are five must-read poems.
- “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou
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This poem has remained one of Angelou’s most well-known works. I remember being absolutely blown away the first time I read the poem. It never fails to grip the audience with each read. In her writing, Angelou maintains a strong voice as she discusses discrimination and perseverance. A hopeful tone can be identified in the repetition of the phrase, “I rise.” She effectively uses literary techniques, including alliteration, anaphora and enjambment to point to the theme. At the end of the poem, readers leave feeling inspired by her words. “Still I Rise” is only one of Angelou’s amazing, well-written works.
- “Nina’s Blues” by Cornelius Eady
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Eady honors Nina Simone, one of the most popular jazz performers, in his poem. His creative work in this piece consists of rhythmic language. There are careful word choices that show what Eady hears when he listens to Nina Simone. The poem is centered around the major impact Simone had with her music. Its form and additional components demonstrate how much Simone inspired an unending amount of people.
- “harlem” by langston hughes
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Hughes’ short, 11-line poem shows the experience of striving for your dreams as a Black person in America. The similes used in the poem demonstrate the difficulty of reaching those goals. As a result of discrimination, there are endless odds stacked against black men and women. His poem calls attention to the reality of that struggle. It’s packed with the emotions associated with dreaming while facing racial inequality.
- “Canary” by Rita Dove
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Dove’s poem, “Canary” beautifully describes the voice of Billie Holiday, a legendary jazz singer. The poem incorporates figurative language, such as metaphors, similes and other literary techniques. Dove conveys the shadows that haunted Holiday along with her smooth vocals. The short poem contains imagery that brings Holiday’s masterful performing to life for readers.
Each stanza covers the delicacies of her voice and the scars underneath. Not only was Holiday an amazing performer; she also often sang about racial injustice despite the government’s efforts to silence her. Dove’s poem about Holiday is a great read for Black History Month.
- “summer, somewhere” by Danez Smith
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One of Smith’s most popular poems, “summer, somewhere” was included in his poem collection Don’t Call Us Dead. The poem sets the tone for the other works included. The concrete images in the poem build a paradise where young Black men don’t live in fear of police brutality.
Phrases such as “now that we’re safe everywhere” emphasize the poem’s theme. The creative formatting of the piece demonstrates the call for a safe place. If you enjoy this poem, you might also be interested in Smith’s other poem “alternate names for black boys,” which shares common themes.
All of the mentioned poems have varying creative approaches that inspire readers and discuss injustices. I encourage you to check out other works by all of the authors. Everyone can learn much from these poems at any time. People should read them continually — not just during Black History Month. They continue to educate readers about racial injustices each day, which holds insurmountable importance.