The Poetry of Black Roses

For Black History Month, I want to talk about "Black Roses" by Harold Green III. A lot of poetry overlaps with advocacy work–lifting and representing the voices and issues of those who are suffering. A lot of advocacy poetry invokes that suffering and terror, and it's important. But work like this–work that lifts high the true and possible beauty of a better world - this is important too. 

I personally love to drift on poetry. It expands my mind and gives me new ways of seeing the world, helping me ground. Not all poetry is good for drifting, for basking in like a sun ray on a beach. All of it is invigorating in its own way, comforting the disturbed and disturbing the comfortable (to paraphrase Cesar A. Cruz), and telling truths that are not hopeful but providing hope in the telling itself (to paraphrase Andrea Gibson). 

This is a different kind of guidelight. It's not a lighthouse warning away, but a spotlight on endeavors worth reaching for–a way of seeing and appreciating the hard-fought accomplishments of strangers as if through the eyes of a loved one. 

These poems are uplifting. They inspire and validate admiration for others, and they make me want to be a better person. "Angelica’s Pose," an Ode to Angelica Ross, says, “Your posture / makes onlookers fix theirs.” 

In his Ode to Stacey Abrams, "Stacey Speaks," Harold writes, “You ever hear someone speak so confidently / that you forget how doubt feels? / As if self-esteem can be transmitted through oration.” 

He writes about Kamala Harris’s smile. “You smile like / you want people to remember / that the truths we hold / are not always self-evident. / They require a place to call home. / Testimonies of a tenement. / Daughter of immigrants.” 

In "Tomi’s Magic," Harold writes to Tomi Adeyemi (author of Children of Blood and Bone), “I wonder if you have realized / that you are the magic you write about.” As an author… chills. 

In "Simone’s Wings," he describes Simone Biles’ gymnastics not just to flight, but to alchemy. As someone who had formative experiences in gymnastics, I can confirm that’s how transformative it can feel. It resonates strongly. 

He writes about Tarana Burke, the creator of the #MeToo Movement, in "Tarana’s Freedom." “The power you’ve given others– / is the chance to be released from prison.” Yes. Yes, it does. 

I’ve been reading the 1619 Project - an exploration of the ways African Americans have built and shaped the United States. It’s a fabulous reframe of the stories we learn in school. Its creator, Nikole Hannah-Jones, has her own ode: "Nikole’s Democracy." My favorite line is, “You have shown us– / the power in looking back. /  You have provided us with the warmth of other suns / just by telling the truth."

Dr. Eve Ewing is a participating writer in the 1619 Project. The ode to her, "Eve's Loyalty," uses the refrain, “Have you ever seen someone love so hard…” He goes on to explore the ways her accomplishments stem from her love of others. This is where I want my fuel to come from–love. What a beautiful read. 

These are just a few highlights. I could probably write a whole series of blog posts based on this book of poetry, and I’m still not sure I shouldn’t. 

I bought my illustrated copy from The Magic of Books.