Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note by Amiri Baraka for National Poetry Month

[dragonyphoenix]

Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note by Amiri Baraka
(For Kellie Jones, Born 16 May 1959)

Lately, I've become accustomed to the way
The ground opens up and envelops me
Each time I go out to walk the dog.
Or the broad-edged silly music the win
Makes when I run for the bus...

Things have come to that.

And now, each night I count the stars,
And each night I get the same number.
And when they will not come to be counted,
I count the holes they leave.

Nobody sings anymore.

And then last night, I tiptoed up
To my daughter's room and heard her
Talking to someone, and when I opened
The door, there was no one there...
Only she on her knees, peeking into

Her own clasped hands.

Comments

[lemorttoussaint.livejournal.com]

One of my favorites.

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I first read this poety yesterday when I was looking up jazz poetry. I definitely need to read more.

[ladytemeraire.livejournal.com]

Chilling and beautiful. Nice choice. :)

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm enjoying National Poetry Month. I had no idea I'd be discovering so many poets.