To Children of a People On the Rise

Poem by Greg Powell is To Children of a People on the Rise

As read for the Black History Month Program for Seniors on the Move, a ministry of New Faith Baptist Church, International 1980 Panther people on the rise 1990 Panther people on the rise Year 2000’s Panther people on the rise Energize our minds/ we ride the skies In the 2020 the times is dark Corrupt eruption got the nation stark […]

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Meditation on Being Hueman (for Kobe)

A Meditation on Being Hueman for Kobe by Greg Powell

(for Kobe) The truth is we all walk through the valley of the shadow of death. And we all have opportunities to experience mountaintops. We have more in common than what we allow to separate us. The hoarders of wealth and power make great effort to distract and scare us away from this simple reality. We want to live in […]

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New Year’s Psalm of Hope

New Year's Psalm of Hope- Poetry by Greg Powell

another journey of green and deep blue Mother around sun. everything is a journey. through black spaces black matter black veins of universe womb. and tomb. and womb again. I pray she forgives our sins and refuses to die to us. but does forgiveness come without repentance. i hate my suv drinking dinosaur residue/ shitting death to the air we […]

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When I Die

When I Die is a poem written by Greg Powell

When I die It’s going to be a sky like this. Climate change warm December with subtle chill pain and soothing narcotic breeze. An open sky, grey waves upside down. Soft cloud shroud spread over closed eyes lifted in prayer.   If you enjoyed this poem, you may also enjoy Midnight Calling.

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Hymn to an Elf Tree

Hymn to an Elf Tree is a poem Greg Powell dedicates to his wife

my Queen speaks love through arts and crafts, making pretty things/ making all things pretty. like the tree that greets me entering family room, son bouncing dropping dunks into nerf hoop. we hug and he asserts that the tree is extra. Corny, he says ’cause he is not a veteran of life/ not weathered soft enough to fully feel mommas […]

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A Strange Christmas Walk

A Strange Christmas Walk, new poem by Greg Powell

shivering sun rushes to horizon beneath gray sky as I commence December family ritual of lights wrapped around front yard trees barren except for winter seed dropping into damp soil bearing spring hopes and earth promises. green lights wrapped on trunk white strings hung on branches, in conformity with silly esthetics of holiday suburban blocks. wireless speaker serenading yard with […]

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The Duet of Ra Man vs. Sonny LeBain

Greg Powell adds to the Madman Jams Series - Duet of Ra Man vss Sonny LeBain

I. Story’s been told In tales and song Of an Afro-Blue duel, Lasted all night long In a South Side spot, Royal women and men Romance and sex dance Sip cognac and fizzy gin Drunk dude in corner Blues is all he got Head tipping from tap Of a whisky shot Dashiki garbed player On stage, sax blazing Bright as […]

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Journey to the End of Our World

Deborah Powell, his wife, is the inspiration for Journey to the End of Our World

opaque clouds rush over expanse of heated sky above raised face giving thanks for you, my love, our love like sun shining by faith and not by sight. we hurdle together toward end of the world our love revealing beauty and peace be still under boiling sky. The end is nigh, ground whispers to me from deep beneath concrete under […]

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Thanks Giving

Greg Powell pens a poem giving thanks for Thanksgiving

I am thankful for this breath, these words tumbling from rugged gravel road of life being lived on edge of time slipping away. I embrace this edge, this path, the ancient warrior called shadow of death where I feel painfully alive. I embrace praise song of steps and breaths/ soul hands reaching for common hands and God and hope, straining […]

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Communion on Broken Rocks

Poem-Communion on Broken Rocks by Greg Powell

depression had me bound. I didn’t know what to do/ yearned for nothing. walked the lakefront, edge of jagged rocks and risen waters enraged by winds manifest from cloudless sky. contemplating swim to the other side or to nothing at all. in my head, a scream to God carried away by winds and waves before reaching His ears. will chilled […]

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