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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

A Paradox in Pink-The words and works of yours truly




National Poetry Month tribute continues...

Most likely, many of you know me from my articles on the how-tos of writing, my words of wisdom on affairs of the heart, or my never-boring blog posts. All of which I love immensely.

But truth be told, my first literary love is poetry. I've been penning verse since I was a teenager. It helped me to deal with awkward issues of growing up and finding my place in the world.

Later it evolved into the deep stuff that Elizabeth Barrett Browning embraced in her work. To date, I've written and published several collections.

Today, I'd like to share a few that I hope will entertain, inspire, or uplift you.
Thanks for spending your time with me and my thoughts.
Without further ado...


SOUL FOOD SUNDAYS

Baked ham
Candy yams
And collard greens
Big momma's biscuits
And buttered beans

Dishes fit for a king
Gospel music
And church chatter in between

As we bond
And share a history
Richer than all the calories

Laughing
Loving
And just being
Honoring
The Sabbath


GRATEFUL

For the gift of words
And the serenity in silence,

For continued health,
Periodic wealth
And love of self,

For soul food,
Karaoke clubs,
Tall men
And spandex

For close friends
Far and near
Family, dear
And loves of yesteryear

For cozy quarters
Cocoa on cold winter days
And bargain sales

For laughter
And lessons learned,
For joy in my life,
Peace in my soul---

Grateful


THE CANVAS

A recycled napkin
A matchbook cover
The backside of a receipt
And then another

Beautifully blank,
All become the backdrop
For a writer's creations

Raw words
Rapidly affixed
To capture
Key phrases
Ingenious ideas
Inner emotions
For tomorrow's
Work of art


GOSSIP

The elixir of fools
The devil's tool
So senseless and cruel
GOSSSSIPPP....


EMOTIONAL MAY DAY

Needing
Now
Wanting
Waiting
Weary
Restless
Wanting
Rescue
Will you?

Repeat.


LOVER MAN

For the hard to reach things
Around the house,
I be needing you

For your easy laughter
And the way you cause comfort
To my sleep,
I be needing you

For borrowed strength
And joy lent,

This woman needs you

(C) 2006 Jennifer Brown Banks

NOTE: My poetry has appeared in Poetic Voices, Being Single Magazine, Chicken Bones, Rolling Out, and a host of online and print publications.
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18 comments:

  1. Linda O'ConnellApril 20, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    Jennifer, I am very glad to see you back on line. I enjoyed your poetry. Each poem spoke to me, but I particularly liked the lines in Grateful, "Tall men and Spandex". Your poetry is refreshing and down to earth.
    http://lindaoconnell.blogspot.com

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  2. Jennifer Brown BanksApril 20, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    Hey Linda,

    It's good to be back--thanks. I'd like to believe that my poetry mirrors my personality. ;-) Thanks for starting the dialog.

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  3. Barb HodgesApril 20, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Hi Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing your poetry. As you can tell from my posts, I enjoy poetry too. I really enjoy reading your poems. My favorite, if I had to pick one, is The Canvas. I am always writing a word or two on anything I can grab hold of in that second.

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  4. Jennifer Brown BanksApril 20, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    Hi Barb,

    Thanks so much. I greatly appreciate the feedback and support.

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  5. quietspiritApril 20, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    Jennifer:
    I find you poetry very interesting. I am drawn to the well chosen words.

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  6. YvonneApril 20, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Very nice! I loved the last one! Thank you for sharing!

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  7. Karen LangeApril 21, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    Wonderful, Jen! Appreciate you sharing these. Grateful for karaoke. Never would have guessed. :D
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  8. Jennifer Brown BanksApril 21, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Karen,

    Too bad we're not in the same zone--we'd likely have a ball at a local joint! :-) Thanks for chiming in today.

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  9. AnonymousApril 21, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Jennifer, LOVE it! You're quite the wordsmith! I can't wait to read your book!

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  10. Jennifer Brown BanksApril 21, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    Bryan,

    Groovy to hear from you! Did you order it? If so, let me know what you think. Gotta' confess, some of it is kinda' mushy. :-)

    Thanks much!

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  11. Help Me Get to Seattle!April 21, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    Soul Food Sundays is my favourite, but love all your verse and want to take it all in!!! i have to take it in slowly and savor it, like savoring a piece of chocolate!

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  12. Jennifer Brown BanksApril 22, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    Peter's Page...

    How sweet of you! A blast from the past. :-)
    Funny I should hear from you, was just thinking about you. :-) Connect with me at my Email address, okay?

    I think I will post some of Peter's poetry on one of my blogs. Thanks, dear one. Hope all is well. I hope to be able to attend your concert.

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  13. Jennifer Brown BanksApril 23, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    Quietspirit,

    Thanks so much for your time and thoughts. Sorry to have been "quiet" in conveying a quicker response. :-) God bless.

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  14. Jennifer Brown BanksApril 23, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    Yvonne,

    Thanks for the shout out! Miss hearing from you. :-)

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  15. Yasmin MoraisApril 25, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    Jennifer,

    Thanks for sharing your poetic side. I loved them all, especially Grateful.

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  16. Jennifer Brown BanksApril 25, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    Much thanks, Yasmin! Great to get your input.

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  17. AnonymousApril 30, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    Why isn't there a link in your sidebar for people to buy your book? You got good stuff and everyone should know about it.

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  18. Jennifer Brown BanksApril 30, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    Thanks, much. I actually don't promote my poetry as much as I should.
    I know, I know... :-) It's a long story, stay tuned.

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