TWO POEMS
By Charlois Lumpkin
Kwansaba
for Lorraine Hansberry 1930 – 1965
Inhumed in Croton-on-Hudson near beloved
home dubbed “Chitterling Heights” feted Broadway royalty
of young, gifted and black fame found
leaven inside Langston’s poetic query about a
raisin in the sun. She word spliced
life’s drama deferr’d dreams onto center stage
light hereto fore rift from our reality.
*First African-American female author/playwright to have a play (A Raisin in the Sun) performed on Broadway.
Kwansaba
For Katherine Dunham 1909 – 2006
“Spiritual Mother of Haiti” held nature’s wind
ward passage dividin’ Haitian from Cuban made
for bloody poor “wet foot/dry foot”
policy. Vodun goddess of protest put USA
through moral conch us cleanse. Fasting forty
seven days she became hunger artist for
cause greater than bread, butter or herself.
*Renowned ‘Matriarch of Black Dance’ was also human rights activist who at the age of eighty-three opposed the United States Repatriation Policy for Haitian Boat People.
By Charlois Lumpkin
Kwansaba
for Lorraine Hansberry 1930 – 1965
Inhumed in Croton-on-Hudson near beloved
home dubbed “Chitterling Heights” feted Broadway royalty
of young, gifted and black fame found
leaven inside Langston’s poetic query about a
raisin in the sun. She word spliced
life’s drama deferr’d dreams onto center stage
light hereto fore rift from our reality.
*First African-American female author/playwright to have a play (A Raisin in the Sun) performed on Broadway.
Kwansaba
For Katherine Dunham 1909 – 2006
“Spiritual Mother of Haiti” held nature’s wind
ward passage dividin’ Haitian from Cuban made
for bloody poor “wet foot/dry foot”
policy. Vodun goddess of protest put USA
through moral conch us cleanse. Fasting forty
seven days she became hunger artist for
cause greater than bread, butter or herself.
*Renowned ‘Matriarch of Black Dance’ was also human rights activist who at the age of eighty-three opposed the United States Repatriation Policy for Haitian Boat People.
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