“We
write because we believe the human spirit cannot be tamed and should not be
trained.” – Nikki Giovanni
Born on this date in 1943, Giovanni
is an essayist, commentator, activist, and educator, and one of the world's best known African-American poets. Her work includes anthologies, recordings, and
nonfiction essays, and covers topics ranging from race and social issues to
children's literature. Among her myriad
awards are the Langston Hughes Medal, the NAACP Image Award, finalist for a
Grammy for The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection, and being honored as
one of Oprah Winfrey’s 25 "Living Legends.” One of Giovanni’s most poignant
poems was her tribute to Robert F. Kennedy, written just days after his
assassination 50 years ago this week.
Here, for Saturday’s Poem, is Giovanni’s,
A Poem on the Assassination of Robert F.
Kennedy
Trees are never felled . . . in
summer . . . Not when the fruit . . .
is yet to be borne . . . Never before the promise . . . is fulfilled . . .
Not when their cooling shade . . . has yet to comfort . . .
Yet there are those . . . unheeding of nature . . . indifferent to
ecology . . . ignorant of need . . . who . . . with ax and sharpened
saw . . . would . . . in boots . . . step forth damaging . . .
Not the tree . . . for it falls . . . But those who would . . . in
summer's heat . . . or winter's cold . . . contemplate . . . the
beauty . . .
is yet to be borne . . . Never before the promise . . . is fulfilled . . .
Not when their cooling shade . . . has yet to comfort . . .
Yet there are those . . . unheeding of nature . . . indifferent to
ecology . . . ignorant of need . . . who . . . with ax and sharpened
saw . . . would . . . in boots . . . step forth damaging . . .
Not the tree . . . for it falls . . . But those who would . . . in
summer's heat . . . or winter's cold . . . contemplate . . . the
beauty . . .
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