Poem Honoring Naomi Long Madgett, Poet Laureate of Detroit, Michigan

Frances Shani Parker (left) poses with Naomi Long Madgett near the sculpture of Madgett on display at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan.

April is National Poetry Month. I am honored to recognize Naomi Long Madgett, my friend and Poet Laureate of Detroit, Michigan. Naomi will be 90 years old on her July 5th birthday in 2013. She continues to inspire others with her rich legacy of achievements. Join me as I salute her with a poem I wrote about a true experience we shared years ago.

Naomi

She said, “Just call me Naomi”

like that would be easy as breathing,

as if that word could dance

from my mouth doing a solo hustle,

as if I could first-name somebody

whose life poem includes the Roaring

Twenties, the Harlem Renaissance,

and the Great Depression.

My Louisiana roots knew better.

That would be like smelling myself. *

This golden light of a lady

named Naomi Long Madgett,

this awesome oxymoron of petiteness

and greatness doesn’t realize

when she looks up to talk to me,

I still look up to her when I look down.

Generations of word lovers

inspired by her talent use her

as their beacon to guide them

across waters to future possibilities.

Her glowing array of achievements

includes illuminating poetry, publishing,

and teaching. She beams brilliance

on rooftops of human potential,

through windows of curiosity,

anywhere words can ignite minds.

Life’s looming landscape continues

to be enhanced with legacies

emitted from her radiant rays

of kindness, integrity, and dedication.

She said to call her Naomi.

Detroit’s poet laureate can’t be denied.

I stir that word in my mouth

like a vintage Starlite mint, chew

until southern discomfort dissolves,

swallow its savored sweetness.

The next time I see Ms. Madgett,

I greet her like the enlightened

queen elder she is and say,

“Hi, Nnnnnnnaomi!”

© Frances Shani Parker

* “Smelling myself” is primarily an African American idiom for being conceited. 

  

You can read Naomi Long Madgett's biography.

You can read Naomi Long Madgett's review of my book Becoming Dead Right.

Frances Shani Parker, Author
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