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Black Poetry Day

Black Poetry Day on October 17th honors past and present black poets.

One last word : wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes

"In this collection of poetry, Nikki Grimes looks afresh at the poets of the Harlem Renaissance -- including voices like Langston Hughes, Georgia Douglas Johnson, and many more writers of importance and resonance from this era -- by combining their work with her own original poetry. Using "The Golden Shovel" poetic method, Grimes has written a collection of poetry that is as gorgeous as it is thought-provoking. This special book also includes original artwork in full-color from some of today's most exciting African American illustrators, who have created pieces of art based on Nikki's original poems. Featuring art by: Cozbi Cabrera, R. Gregory Christie, Pat Cummings, Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Nikki Grimes, E. B. Lewis, Frank Morrison, Brian Pinkney, Sean Qualls, James Ransome, Javaka Steptoe, Shadra Strickland, and Elizabeth Zunon. A foreword, an introduction to the history of the Harlem Renaissance, author's note, poet biographies, and index makes this not only a book to cherish, but a wonderful resource andreference as well"--

The undefeated by Kwame Alexander

"The Newbery Award-winning author of The Crossover pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree"--

Honey, I love by Eloise Greenfield

A young girl expresses what she loves about life

Harlem : a poem by Walter Dean Myers

A poem celebrating the people, sights, and sounds of Harlem

We inherit what the fires left : poems by William Evans

"William Evans, the award-winning poet and cofounder of the popular culture website Black Nerd Problems, offers an emotionally vulnerable poetry collection exploring the themes of inheritances, dreams, and injuries that are passed down from one generationto the next and delving into the lived experience of a black man in the American suburbs today"--

I can't talk about the trees without the blood by Tiana Clark

"For poet Tiana Clark, trees will never be just trees. They will also and always be a row of gallows from which Black bodies once swung. This is an image that she cannot escape, but one that she has learned to lean into as she delves into personal and public histories, explicating memories and muses around race, elegy, family, and faith by making and breaking forms as well as probing mythology, literary history, her own ancestry, and, yes, even Rihanna. I Can't Talk About the Trees without the Blood, because Tiana cannot engage with the physical and psychic landscape of the South without seeing the braided trauma of the broken past--she will always see blood on the leaves."--Publisher's website

You don't even know me : stories and poems about boys by Sharon Flake

Presents a collection of short stories and poems about African-American teenage boys and the issues they must deal with, including HIV, teen pregnancy, and homelessness.

My people by Langston Hughes

Hughes's spare yet eloquent tribute to his people has been cherished for generations. Now, acclaimed photographer Smith interprets this beloved poem in vivid sepia photographs that capture the glory, the beauty, and the soul of being a black American today.

Love poems by Nikki Giovanni

In a career that has spanned more than a quarter century, Nikki Giovanni has earned the reputation as one of America's most celebrated and contoversial writers.Now, she presents a stunning collection of love poems that includes more than twenty new works. -Amazon

Lullaby (for a Black mother) : a poem by Langston Hughes

A picture book adaptation of Langston Hughes' beloved poem celebrates the endearing love between a mother and a baby and is complemented by painted collage illustrations.

Black girl magic

"A BreakBeat Poets anthology, Black Girl Magic celebrates and canonizes the words of Black women across the diaspora."

Build yourself a boat by Camonghne Felix

"A poetic exploration of trauma, healing, and survival"--Goodreads

The complete collected poems of Maya Angelou by Maya Angelou

Presents a definitive collection of poetry from Angelou's previous anthologies

His day is done : a Nelson Mandela tribute by Maya Angelou

Presents a poetic tribute to the former South African president and leader of the anti-apartheid movement

Hey black child by Useni Eugene Perkins

"A lyrical, empowering poem that celebrates black children and seeks to inspire all young ones to dream big and achieve their goals"--

Recipient of the National Medal, the nation's highest honor for libraries.