Day 143: Discover New Poetry

As a teacher, I am exposed to a wealth of classic poetry. Not very often, to I seek out and explore new poets or new poetry. Today I spent time reading poetry from artists I am familiar with as well as some I have never heard of before. I discovered a new poet, Khalil Gabran. He was a Lebanese poet who lived from 1883-1931. The poem "A Tear and a Smile" was my favorite. :
"I would that my life remain a tear and  a smile, a tear to purify my heart and give me understanding.."
But my favorite discovery/rediscovery today, was Maya Angelou.
A good poem is one that still resonates even days after reading. I found one of hers that continued to make me think. Its title is "Men." This poem was so powerful and personal I felt like a voyeur for reading it.

Men by Maya Angelou

When I was young, I used to
Watch behind the curtains
As men walked up and down the street. Wino men, old men.
Young men sharp as mustard.
See them. Men are always
Going somewhere.
They knew I was there. Fifteen
Years old and starving for them.
Under my window, they would pause,
Their shoulders high like the
Breasts of a young girl,
Jacket tails slapping over
Those behinds,
Men.

One day they hold you in the
Palms of their hands, gentle, as if you
Were the last raw egg in the world. Then
They tighten up. Just a little. The
First squeeze is nice. A quick hug.
Soft into your defenselessness. A little
More. The hurt begins. Wrench out a
Smile that slides around the fear. When the
Air disappears,
Your mind pops, exploding fiercely, briefly,
Like the head of a kitchen match. Shattered.
It is your juice
That runs down their legs. Staining their shoes.
When the earth rights itself again,
And taste tries to return to the tongue,
Your body has slammed shut. Forever.
No keys exist.

Then the window draws full upon
Your mind. There, just beyond
The sway of curtains, men walk.
Knowing something.
Going someplace.
But this time, I will simply
Stand and watch.

Maybe.