Growing up as a mixed girl, I have had a special passion for African-American Poetry. I grew up always feeling unsure of my own identity because I grew up in what felt like a very white-dominant area of Virginia. I didn't always know exactly how to describe where I fit, but reading the words of Black poets gave me a way to see parts of myself in experiences that sometimes felt difficult to explain. Being mixed has sometimes made me feel like I am connected to different parts of different worlds. These poems helped me realize that I don't necessarily have to choose one part of myself over another. I can appreciate all of my experiences and allow them to shape my identity. If you are looking to get into Black Poetry, or just want to add some meaningful poems to your reading list, here are 4 poems I live by.
- “Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou.
If there is one poem that feels like the ultimate comeback anthem, it is Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise.” What I love most about this poem is the confidence. Angelou refuses to let other people’s judgment define her, and there is something so powerful about watching her turn that refusal into strength. Growing up in an area where I did not always feel like I fit in, I sometimes found myself wondering how other people saw me and whether I needed to change something about myself to feel more accepted. This poem reminds me that I do not owe anyone a smaller version of myself just to make them comfortable. I have learned that confidence does not always mean having everything figured out. Sometimes, it simply means choosing to keep showing up as yourself, even when you feel out of place. “Still I Rise” reminds me that I can keep rising into who I am without letting other people decide who that person should be.
2. “Daystar” by Rita Dove
Rita Dove’s “Daystar” makes me think about how much of ourselves we can lose when we spend all our time meeting other people’s expectations. What stands out to me is the idea of wanting a moment that belongs only to you. Sometimes, I feel like there is so much pressure to figure out college, my future, my relationships, and who I am supposed to become that I forget to give myself time to simply exist. I can get caught up in thinking about everything I should be doing instead of appreciating where I am right now. Dove’s poem reminds me of the importance of having space to breathe and think without feeling guilty. I especially connect with this idea because I have always appreciated peaceful days when I can slow down, and spend time focusing on myself. Those moments might seem small, but they calm me down. The poem reminds me that wanting time for myself does not mean I care any less about the people around me. Sometimes, taking care of yourself starts with allowing yourself a little quiet. Another plus here, Rita Dove teaches poetry at UVA!!!
3. “Nikki-Rosa” by Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni is one of the poets that I have fallen in love with due to her style of writing, and the way she is able to articulate her feelings. When I read “Nikki Rosa”, I fell in love with the way she talked about family love. She was able to talk about how she felt about the stereotypes of the Black family, and she was quick to shut down the stereotypes about them. As someone who tends to reject stereotypes easily, it stood out to me because she showed how strong women can be even though people have doubts about them. When I read this poem, I was at a hard time in my life with stress about college and life in general. I felt like I wasn’t able to do enough, however, this poem made me think about how happiness and love can exist even when life is not perfect.
4. “Harlem” by Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes’s “Harlem” asks what happens when a dream is delayed. I love how such a short poem can leave you thinking about a question long after you have finished reading it. The poem makes me think about how easy it is to put pressure on yourself to reach certain milestones by a certain age, especially when you are in college and surrounded by people who seem to know exactly what they want from life. There are times when I have questioned whether I am on the right path or whether I should already have a clearer idea of my future. My favorite play ever is A Raisin in the Sun, which takes its title from Hughes’s poem and explores the dreams of a Black family facing racism and hardships financially. Watching the play from the 1960’s really helped me understand that dreams are not always so simple, but they could be someones American Dream. As someone who is still figuring out my identity and my future, I find comfort in the idea that I do not have to have everything figured out right now. My dreams can change as I change, and I can give myself permission to grow at my own pace.
Honestly, I could talk about these poems all day because each one gives me a different reason to fall in love with poetry. I want other people to have that same feeling, too! So grab a poetry book or look up these poems, and give them a chance. You might laugh, reflect, feel inspired, or even discover a part of yourself that you never knew how to put into words. Who knows? One of these poems might become the one you keep coming back to whenever you need it most. And honestly, I think that is one of the best things about poetry!
