Title: Black Lives Matter: Six Poems | Discover
Headings: Black Lives Matter: Six Poems
Black Lives Matter: Six Poems
Rayon Lennon, “ Any Light ,” ( Rattle)
Khalypso, “ Diaspora #1 ” ( Cosmonauts Avenue)
T. Miller, “ Ten Things You Sound Like When You Say AllLivesMatter in Response to BlackLivesMatter ” ( Button Poetry)
Natasha T. Miller - Ten Things You Sound Like When You Say AllLivesMatter in Response to Black...
Clint Smith, “How to How to Make a Cardboard Box Disappear in 10 Steps” and “For Charles” ( American Literary Review)
Cortney Lamar Charleston, “ How Do You Raise a Black Child ” ( Motion Poems)

Content: here’s a small excerpt from “For Charles,” an homage to a 19th-century Louisiana slave-revolt leader. Charles, I imagine there came a point
where you decided enough was enough,
the sound of cow hide against flesh,
the alchemy of blood & sweat sitting
atop your lip, how the wind
from the Mississippi cooled it when
it raced across your mouth, teasing
your tongue to follow it beyond this
place. Read the rest of this poem (and its startling companion piece, “How to Make a Cardboard Disappear in 10 Steps,” also on that page), at American Literary Review
Cortney Lamar Charleston, “ How Do You Raise a Black Child ” ( Motion Poems)
Originally published at Beloit Poetry Journal in 2015, this poem by Cortney Lamar Charleston feels epic and cinematic on the page. The team at Minneapolis-based Motion Poems took it one step further and translated it into an actual film — with the poet narrating — and the result is beautiful and crushing. Seyi Peter-Thomas "How Do You Raise A Black Child?" from Station Film on Vimeo
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This opens in a new window. Explore other cinematic takes on poetry at Motion Poems
To show your support of Black poets, please consider buying these writers’ books or collections, and subscribe to publications — like the ones featured here — that publish their work. Looking for other ways to join the fight against racism and injustice? Here’s a comprehensive list of resources and ideas.