Chicken Spaghetti

Books, Books, Books

recent posts

about

Nikki Giovanni

Thanks so much to the Academy of American Poets for sharing this beautiful summer poem by Nikki Giovanni. I came across it on Instagram just after attending the Mississippi Picnic in New York, and it so resonated with me.

The Poetry Friday roundup for June 12th is at Linda Mitchell’s Substack, Another Word Edgewise.

Posted in

10 responses to “Nikki Giovanni”

  1. margaretsmn Avatar
    margaretsmn

    I want to hear more about the Mississippi picnic in New York. I love all the fresh vegetables and fruit of summer, but I’m struggling with the heat. I miss spring already.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      The Picnic was so much fun. I’d regained my Southern accent by the time I left. I didn’t know anyone except the friend from Tupelo I went with, but I talked to lots of folks there. The Picnic, which used to be held in Central Park, was big in the eighties, nineties and early 2000s, then faded out. In the past couple of years, though, some younger folks have revived it, and this year they held it alongside the Hudson River at one of the piers/green spaces. Great spot! Many of the state schools had booths there, and I had a great time chatting. Everyone is welcome, and everyone was friendly. No surprise there!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Mitchell Linda Avatar
    Mitchell Linda

    How fun! I’m from NYS. My Dad married a woman from MS and we have a NY-MS culture in the family now. It’s kinda funny…and lovely. This is a favorite poem of mine. Thanks so much for sharing it with us this week. It’s the perfect vibe.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      You’re welcome, Linda! That’s is great that you have a Mississippian in the family; mine is similar. My husband is from Brooklyn. He has been to Mississippi many times & likes it!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. patriciafranz Avatar
    patriciafranz

    A perfect poem for celebrating a summer picnic — anywhere! I’m looking forward to one in July at the peak of our summer… and dribbly, crunchy, sweet watermelon!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. cvarsalona Avatar
    cvarsalona

    Susan, Nikki G’s poem is so delightful it is making me hungry. The picnic you attended sounds like a wonderful place to be andenjoy nature and new friends. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. theapplesinmyorchard Avatar
    theapplesinmyorchard

    Lovely poem, Susan. I need to read more of Nikki’s work. I’ve been to Knoxville, TN (1973) as a ten year old child and her poem evoked a lot of imagery for me. Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. lindabaie Avatar
    lindabaie

    Wonderful poem, Susan. I grew up in a small town where so many reveled at a church picnic with all those ‘fixin’s’. We ate and played and there were things for sale (small garage sale). Thanks for bringing back my memories!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Karen Edmisten Avatar
    Karen Edmisten

    What a perfect little screen cap of summer that poem is. And the Mississippi Picnic sounds like so much fun!

    Liked by 1 person

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

    Love the conversational voice in this poem, along with the “and” which plops us right there in the heart of summer, thanks Susan!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment