Poetry Friday: Remembering Nikki Giovanni
Linda at A Word in Edgewise is our host for today. Hop on over there for the roundup.
Remember Nikki Giovanni
This week my social media feed has been filled with Nikki Giovanni posts and memories. What a poet Nikki was. Virginia Tech, where she was a professor, did a lovely article on her.
My oldest child texted me memories of us going to see Nikki Giovanni and Chris Raschka at The Lyric in Blacksburg, Virginia when they released their book The Grasshopper’s Song.
The first memory that popped up for me was listening to her spoken word poem, “We Are Virginia Tech.” Those words were the closing remarks at the memorial service after the horrific shooting at Virginia Tech 2007. Many of my colleagues and friends are Hokies. My dad is from Blacksburg. A few colleagues gathered in one classroom after school dismissed to watch the last part of the service on television. We were all so moved by Nikki’s words—and listening to them again brings back that flood of emotion.
Haiku of the Week
Boston rain
makes way for winter-clad
ducklings
Photo Taken: November 22, 2024, Boston Common
Haiku Written: December 10, 2024
Poem as Picture Book
By Tim McCanna
Illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki
Paula Wiseman/S&S, 2024
Cold is a 211-word poem that helps the reader experience the cold in many habitats around the world.
Poetry Connections
- Rhyming
- Alliteration
- Consonance
- Assonance
- Imagery
- Vivid Verbs
Links
Grow
This week there hasn’t been a lot of growth—just holding on for dear life. Thank goodness it’s the last Friday the 13th of the year!
20 Comments
Tabatha
Yes, as someone from Blacksburg, I associate Nikki Giovanni with “We are Virginia Tech,” too. Such a devastating time.
What a sweet winter-clad duckling!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Did I know you were from Blacksburg? I think we talked about that, but thank you for jogging my memory.
Rose Cappelli
Such a special memory you have of seeing Nikki Giovanni! And those winter-clad ducks – priceless.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It was a special memory–and especially special that my kiddo remembered!
jama
Yes, I remember hearing Nikki read that poem after the shooting. Devastating. So sad that she’s passed on; I’m glad I got to attend one of her poetry readings years ago — still one of the best in my memory.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
So amazing! I never got to attend a poetry reading of hers. She and Kwame Alexander did speak at the same small conference as me one time, and I thought I had NO business speaking at the same event as someone so amazing.
Linda Baie
Thanks for posting those words from Nikki about the Virginia Tech shooting, Marcie. I remember because once again I had to have a sad conversation with my students and there this was. Glad you had the pleasure of the Boston ducks and I bookmarked “Cold”, a new one for me! Happy weekend!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh those hard conversations with students. 🙁 You will probably LOVE “Cold.” It’s a gem.
Alan j Wright
Your memories of Nikki Giovanni are both rich and abiding, Marcie. I was fortunate to learn about her poetic prowess during my New York years and my respect and appreciation of her writing only deepened. Her writing legacy is to be admired.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I love that so many of us have Nikki experiences and memories. 🙂
Kathryn Apel
I see your Boston duckling and I’m reminded of ‘Alexander’s Outing’, a picture book by Pamela Allen. Rather a gorgeous readaloud puddling duckling story – especially when shared with young children.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh lovely! These ducks are a tribute to Robert McCloskey’s “Make Way for Ducklings.” They are so adorable!
Margaret Simon
How wonderful that you saw Nikki Giovanni! She was such a force of poetic energy! I love all of her work. You captured an icon of Boston in your photo/haiku. Thanks for this rich post.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I feel very lucky to have seen Nikki all those years ago.
Carol Varsalona
Marcie, Nikki Giovanni was a very special poet and my dear friend Kwame Alexander’s mentor. Her passing was a deep loss for the poetry community. Thanks for video of her and your adorable haiku poem. Today is our community’s Cookies With Santa and I think we will have many little ones bundled up. I will have to share the cold book.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I hope the Cookies with Santa was fun! Kwame brought Nikki one time to a conference where he and I were both speaking. She was a surprise! What a treasure!
Molly Hogan
I love that your child contacted you to share that memory when they heard the news. Somehow I had missed the news this week. Hearing it here and in other posts has brought both sorrow and appreciation. What a bright star!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Sorrow and appreciation–perfectly said!
Jane @ Raincity Librarian
Oh, I can relate to that feeling of just holding on for dear life at this time of year – we’re down to the last week of school before the break, and it’s a roller coaster!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Last week of school here too! Hang on to your hats!