by Donna Felton

Langston Hughes at 21.
Photo by Nicholas Muray

Don’t be disturbed by the
Loud bass pumping from the
Accura in the back.
Don’t be annoyed with what’s coming
From his knapsack.
It’s just poetry.
Don’t diss what you don’t understand.
Repeat of the 60’s when Gil Scott-Heron was
The man.
It’s just poetry.
Don’t ridicule what Langston Hughes and
Claude McKay did back in the day.
It’s just poetry.
Don’t say this music is the cause of violent
Crimes, Don’t think this music is everything
You read in black ink on white lines.
It’s just poetry.
Don’t associate this art form with thugs
And gangster types.
Don’t criticize an artist on the topic in which he writes.
It’s just poetry.
Don’t turn the station when the beat penetrates
Your eardrum.
Don’t say this music is ignorant, useless and dumb.
Don’t reject it, accept it because it’s just poetry.

Copyright © by Donna Felton

Lindamichellebaron Says…

A spirited defense by a young poet I admire of an art form frequently under attack for negativity. But as the poet says, I think it’s important to embrace and own the positive aspects of this uniquely African American art form.