Harlem Renaissance - what I heard

I hear in Harlem it sounds like Jazz

and Jazz sounds like a young brown man
practicing his Trumpet
the Trumpet sounds like Duke Ellington
and Duke Ellington sounds like Harlem

I hear in Harlem it sounds like self-recognition
and self-recognition sounds like a poem

read at the corner cafe

the corner cafe sounds like Langston Hughes

and Langston Hughes sounds like Harlem

I hear in Harlem it sounds like rhythm rituals

and rhythm rituals sound like protest against oppression

and oppression sounds like the Blues

and the Blues sounds like Bessie Smith, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey,

Barbecue Bob, Blind Boy Fuller, Alberta Hunter, Mamie Smith,

Big Bull Broozy, Ida Cox and all those voices 

from the south of Harlem sounds like Harlem

I hear in Harlem it sounds like a big party

and the big party sounds like it's full of painters and poets

and musicians and singers and writers and dancers

expressing their truths, embracing their uniqueness,

honoring their culture, establishing their voice

giving birth to a Renaissance and the Renaissance...

well...that also sounds like Harlem                                          

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

1st published in "The Stride of Our Walk...The Root of Our Stand" 

A Collection of Performance Poetry

I see it

The way I see it

has nothing to do with my tone

I see injustice 

and I speak up

The way I see it

has nothing to do with my stare

I see potential

and I encourage action

The way I see it

has nothing to do with my questions

I see Hills and Valleys

and I show you the hidden path

The way I see it

has nothing to do with what it looks like

I see with my mind first

and prepare for the future

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

An Octave Higher

Everybody in the family sings
Every voice a blending personality
Sharp tones sing the Babes
Flat notes obstruct the Score
We want more...more singing
In tune to respect our Elders...
They held her too tight that day
Pushing melodies into night 
Angelus wings flapping 'round surround
Sound on the window seals
But you feel me right?
Everybody in the family sings
Every voice a blending personality
Heyyyy she said...
Play Misty for me in the Key of D

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman