What Do You Believe A Poem Shd Do?

.. a poem by Ntzake Shange...

What Do You Believe A Poem Shd Do?

Note: This is a poem written by Ntozke Shange

and is part of the MTA’s art initiative called

“Poetry In Motion”. This is a collaborative effort 

between NYC’s mass transit system and the Poetry

Society of America. This particular poem can be seen

riding on buses and subway trains throughout NYC.

 

“quite simply a

poem shd fill you

up with something/

cd make you swoon,

stop in yr tracks,

change yr mind,

or make it up.

A poem shd happen

to you like cold

water or a kiss.”

posted by redzone, 7.15.16

For those who are unfamiliar with the writer/poet/playwrite,

Ntzake Shange, please google her, she is a fabulous poet.

Author's Note

I just love this poem because it is right up in your face, waking you up with "cold water" (or for those who still get them) "a kiss"...

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

This is an amazing poem. Yes, a poem should reach in, and ... I am off, my friend ...

[Papaya]

thank you for sharing, this is lovely and speaks true. it's exactly how I feel about a poem.
a good poem wakes something inside me, like 'cold water' I love that.

[Pryde Foltz]

I suppose poetry is the act of expanding mind, heart and spirit. it is sneaky that way:)

[barleygirl]

I love that you are so supportive of other artists . . . I love that it's hardly ever about "you" . . . I love that you're awake & involved in your world & sharing the things you find & love, be it music or poetry or survivor statements . . . I love that you are so sensitive to everything going on in the world. And this poem is pretty good, too. But I like your response to this poem even more (in your author's note) (((HUGS))) . . . I think I need some cold water . . . *sigh*

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i too love this...

that kiss or that slap of cold water....poems should slam our minds into a frenzy of thought and reaction...

this one does just that.

j.