Nikki Giovanni Quotes

We need food for the Soul We need poetry ... We deserve poetry

You have to read the poem and say, “My god, that’s a good poem,” and kind of smile at yourself. If you’re not willing to do that, then you’re wasting your time, and you’re hurting yourself in another way because you’re trying to please somebody who doesn’t like you. You don’t want to get in that position.

...how else
to spend
a rainy day
other than with you
seeking sun and stars
and heavenly bodies

As a writer, one has to be willing to be wrong, willing to make mistakes. I’ve put everything on the table and accepted the fact that I may come up short. And, if (or when) I do, that’s okay.

...do you ever stop
to think what it looked like
before it was an avenue
...ever look south
...and see gazelles running playfully
after the lions
...did you ever, sit down
and wonder about what freedom's freedom
would bring
...the , Alonquin
and ... could caress
the earthever think what Harlem would be
like if our herbs and roots and elephant ears
grew...
the parrot parroting ...ever think it's possible
for us to be
happy

Poets shouldn't commit suicide. That would leave the world to those without imaginations or hearts. That would bequeath to the world a mangled syntax and no love of champagne. Poets must live in misery and ecstasy, to sing a song with the katydids. Poets should be ashamed to die before they kiss the sun.

...as i grew and matured
i became more sensible
and decided i would
settle down
and just become
a sweet inspiration

it is not unusual
that the old bury the young though it is an abomination
...those who make war
call themselves diplomats
...the unfaithful pray loudest
...we judge a man by his dreams
not alone his deeds
...by his intent
not alone his shortcomings
...it is not unusual
to know him through those who love him

Black love is Black wealth and they'll
probably talk about my hard childhood
and never understand that
all the while I was quite happy

then I awoke and dug
that if i dreamed natural
dreams of being a natural
woman doing what a woman
does...
i would have a revolution

if science has the most perfect language
just think of me as Mc^{<small>2</small>}
...one day
i'm gonna grab your loveand you'll be satisfied

they say you should fight the cold with the cold
but since i never do anything right
i called you

If I were advising someone on a writing career, the deal is this: write. If you get it published, good. If somebody pays you, better, because you have to eat, but the deal is you have to write.

...i believe
the most beautiful poem
...is your heart
racing

There is a game I must tell you of
It's called Catch the Leader Lying
(and knowing your sense of the absurd
you will enjoy this)
...
You must invent your own games and teach us old
ones how to play