Poetry is the revelation of a feeling that the poet believes to be interior and personal which the reader recognizes as his own. — Salvatore Quasimodo
One of the best things about National Poetry Month is the discovery of new-to-me poets and this year is no exception to that! When Kym asked if Bonny and I would be interested in joining her to share poetry, I never imagined how awesome this journey would be. I don’t remember if the enabler was Kym or Bonny but one of them sent out a list of poets for consideration and I had heard of some of the poets listed, but had really read none of the poetry by any of them! The bonus came when Kym invited Sarah to join us… so you get a quartet of poetry this month!
This week we are all sharing a bit of the prolific poetess, Elizabeth Alexander. I did not know Elizabeth Alexander, although she was the poet for President Obama’s inauguration in 2009. She wrote and read Praise Song for the Day. I can only say that I must have been in a coma for that, because I honestly do not remember it at all!
So I began my journey with Elizabeth in Antebellum Dream Book and wow! She took my hand and drew me along with her into her inner most thoughts and feelings. It was not enough, so I began reading Crave Radiance, which is a collection of her poetry with some cross-over as some of the poems from Antebellum Dream Book are contained in it.
The poem I am going to share today is from Antebellum Dream Book. Personally, I think we need a whole bunch of justices who embody this amazing dream!
Postpartum Dream #12: Appointment
by Elizabeth Alexander
I answered all
the Chief Justice’s questions
impeccably, and it wasn’t
very hard.
I waited
with my father
for the phone call.
“I guess I’ll be
the first black woman
on the Supreme Court
if I get this.”
“Damn straight,”
said my dad.
The President
appeared on television
playing golf and smiling.
He has a secret.
His secretary phones
and asks the question.
Maybe I could do it
when the baby
goes to kindergarten. Maybe
I could do it
on alternate Mondays.
Maybe my baby
could gurgle and coo
in a pen in my chambers,
pulling at the curls
on my barrister’s wig,
spitting up on my black robes.
Meanwhile,
I’m excited. I turned out
to be a good lawyer, the best,
just like my dad.
Copyright © 2001 by Elizabeth Alexander. Published by Greywolf Press.
Make sure you stop and see what Kym, Bonny, and Sarah have to share today!
Have an amazing remainder of the week and I will see you all back here on Monday!
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels
I think I was in some sort of coma during that inauguration as well — I have no recollection of the poem at all! (And I’m thankful that Kym has a link to the video so I can watch it again!) So I’m really glad you all picked her; I’ve really enjoying her poetry.
Such a great poem, Kat. Thanks for sharing it! I’m so glad you’re along for this poetry journey. It’s always fun to find a “new” (even if it’s just “new-to-us”) poet that speaks to you. 🙂
(And it was Bonny who put together that list of poets!!)
I am so enjoying seeing the poems each of you are choosing to share. This is just great!!
This is a great poem, Kat! My library didn’t have either Antebellum Dream Book or Crave Radiance, and I’m a bit envious that you read them and chose this one. “Maybe I could do it on alternate Mondays” (especially now that my kids are grown!) Thanks for sharing this terrific poem, Kat!
I love a poem that tells a story… And this tells such a good one.
I love this poem and will be looking to read more of Elizabeth Alexander’s poetry! I am so glad that you, Kym, Bonny, & Sara have introduced me to a new poet!
Pretty poetry. I like.
What a great and accessible poem, truly illustrating that poetry is for everyone.
I do vaguely remember her reading her poem! Of course I don’t remember the word by word but I do remember the feelings as it often with a poem. Thanks for sharing her poem and the walk down memory lane to a wonderful presidency.
Oh I LOVE this poem, Kat! and I’m loving Thursdays blogs … thank you!
Praise Song for the Day – I will not forget listening to her read at Obama’s inauguration. Alexander’s book of essays, Power and Possibilities is wonderful too.