Chicken Spaghetti

Books, Books, Books

recent posts

about

Emmett Till

I’ve loved the poem “I saw Emmett Till this week at the grocery store,” by Eve L. Ewing, ever since I first read it. My first reaction was that of course Emmett Till should be still alive, of course he should be. “It is possible to write a joyful Emmett Till poem,” says Terrance Hays in a note. Hayes curated a series of poems about Till for the Poetry Society of America, where this poem is posted, and I look forward to reading the rest.

Emmett Till would have turned 85 this summer, on July 25th.

Mary Lee Hahn is hosting the the Poetry Friday roundup at A(nother) Year of Reading.

Posted in

32 responses to “Emmett Till”

  1. Tracey Kiff-Judson Avatar
    Tracey Kiff-Judson

    Susan, I am drawn to the line “turning it slowly, a little earth” in reference to a examining a plum. It seems to capture the gravity of the situation and the juxtaposition of how something small can also carry the weight of something immense. Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Yes, Tracey! The details of this tiny scene are very powerful.

      Like

      Reply
  2. rosecappelli Avatar
    rosecappelli

    Thanks for sharing this poem, Susan. The images of the plums and the porkpie hat are powerful in the way they hold us in the scene.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      That’s so true, Rose, about those very specific items holding us there.

      Like

      Reply
  3. Tabatha Avatar
    Tabatha

    The statement “It is possible to write a joyful Emmett Till poem” feels like an education about what poetry is, all by itself. I’ve read this before but it deserves many revisits. Thanks, Susan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      I love what this poem does, reminding us that Till ought to still be with us.

      Like

      Reply
  4. cathystenquist Avatar
    cathystenquist

    How can a poem so lovely also well up my eyes with sadness? A peek into what could have been. Just a young boy who grew old after a full life, doing something as simple as shopping for plums. The choice of words hints at the actual reality. Poignant and thought-provoking. Thanks for sharing, Susan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Right, Cathy? There a good (though horrifying, considering the crime) newish book about the Till murder: The Barn, by Wright Thompson.

      Like

      Reply
  5. Irene Latham Avatar
    Irene Latham

    The joy of plums, and that it should be Emmett Till delivering such a message…poetry, indeed! Thank you, Susan. xo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      You’re welcome, Irene. I see a little William Carlos Williams (the plums) and a little Allen Ginsberg (the grocery store) in here, too, though I may be just imagining things.

      Like

      Reply
  6. maryleehahn Avatar
    maryleehahn

    Thank you for this poem and for the entire project. May we continue to say the names of all those who should have been able to grow old and cradle plums and treat themselves to candy bars in the checkout lane. (I’m thinking we have a PF theme taking root here…) I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the poems.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Mary Lee, you’re onto something with this idea!

      Like

      Reply
  7. Liz Garton Scanlon Avatar
    Liz Garton Scanlon

    Joyful and, also, because of that, extra heart breaking…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Absolutely, Liz. Really adds to the power of the poem.

      Like

      Reply
  8. tee+d Avatar
    tee+d

    Eighty-five.

    Every time I see a picture of that kid – because in my mind he is still a child – I break, because my nephew had a picture taken when he was little – in suspenders and a pork pie hat – and the resemblance was absolutely uncanny.

    May love always show us our loved ones in the faces we’re taught to hate.

    I love Eve’s poems, and I think this makes me glad in a weird way… that someway, in some other reality, Papa Emmett is old, and full of years, and a blessing to his community, amen.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      “…that someway, in some other reality, Papa Emmett is old, and full of years, and a blessing to his community, amen.” Yes, Tanita, that is it, exactly. A world in which Papa Emmett survived and thrived.

      Like

      Reply
  9. Linda M. Avatar
    Linda M.

    What a beautiful poem…what a beautiful imagined encounter. Thank you for sharing this. That plum, “a little earth” is so exact and true in its way.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Eve L. Ewing wrote a good one, didn’t she?

      Like

      Reply
  10. Alan j Wright Avatar
    Alan j Wright

    This poem possesses much cut through even with subtlety of its words. The sheer futility of Emmett Till death and the toxicity of hate are not mentioned, but we all feel its presence beyond the actual words. Eve L Ewing did exemplary work in giving us this poem. Those imagined moments had every right to happen. Thank you for sharing this, Susan.

    Like

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      You’re so welcome, Alan. Every time I read this poem I’m struck by how powerful it is.

      Like

      Reply
  11. cvarsalona Avatar
    cvarsalona

    Susan, the power of say the name poems and articles had me reading one after the other. The single thought of grief swirled in my head, understanding that grief is a unfolding experience in many forms. Thank you for the deep dive.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Carol, I agree with you about the grief in the poem. Several times I’ve thought that I saw a departed relative or friend in the distance and have thought, aha, that’s where they’ve been all this time. Ewing’s poem evokes a similar sentiment, I think.

      Like

      Reply
  12. Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing Avatar
    Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

    This poem gives us such close examination of Till, of the importance of of looking through these eyes, through his eyes that were taken away unjustly, it’s filled with joy and deep sorrow, I’m very glad it’s here for all to take in, thanks for sharing Ewing’s poem Susan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      You’re welcome, Michelle. Ewing is a Chicagoan, too!

      Like

      Reply
  13. patriciafranz Avatar
    patriciafranz

    So tender, so tender. There is both heartbreak and peace living side bt side in these words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Yup, that’s it, Patricia. Very moving, isn’t it?

      Like

      Reply
  14. Robyn Hood Black Avatar
    Robyn Hood Black

    So very powerful, Susan – those plums prone to bruising. A poem written simply but with depths and depths of associations and connections. Thanks for sharing.

    Like

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      I liked it, too, Robyn. Every time I read it, I find notice something different.

      Like

      Reply
  15. Karen Edmisten Avatar
    Karen Edmisten

    Oh, my gosh, I feel undone.

    Thanks for sharing this one, Susan. I hadn’t read it before but I will surely read it again.

    Like

    Reply
  16. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
    Susan.Thomsen

    I know what you mean, Karen! It’s a powerful one.

    Like

    Reply
  17. Denise Krebs Avatar
    Denise Krebs

    Susan, thank you for sharing this. I loved the poem, with the sensory details, the plums over his arm, while he waited to put something heavier on the bottom of the cart. Wow. I didn’t realize “how Emmett Till has become a haunting, powerful figure in Black poetry—and Black public grief.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      My pleasure, Denise. Such good sensory details, as you say.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment