GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLFRIEND GATHERINGS

Learning from YOU to empower ME !

Love Poem #9 – “Juke Box Love Song” by Langston Hughes

By

heart box

 

 

 

 

I could take the Harlem night
and wrap around you,
Take the neon lights and make a crown,
Take the Lenox Avenue busses,
Taxis, subways,
And for your love song tone their rumble down.
Take Harlem’s heartbeat,
Make a drumbeat,
Put it on a record, let it whirl,
And while we listen to it play,
Dance with you till day–
Dance with you, my sweet brown Harlem girl.

I really like this love poem because it gives me a glimpse into life in Renaissance Harlem of the 1920’s.  As an artist/writer, it would have been wonderful to be a part of that period – creating and loving in Renaissance Harlem.

For this poem, I imagine the poet lover is young with an energetic love for the woman he refers to in this poem.    We all should have a lover to serenade us with this juke box love song.

Love Poem #7 – “Minstrel Man” by Langston Hughes

By

heart box

 

 

 

Because my mouth
Is wide with laughter
And my throat
Is deep with song,
You do not think
I suffer after
I have held my pain
So long?
Because my mouth
Is wide with laughter,
You do not hear
My inner cry?
Because my feet
Are gay with dancing,
You do not know
I die.

Comment:

This was designated as a love poem and I guess it could refer to an unrequited secret love.

However, I think it would also apply to a person who is severely depressed   It reminds me of what happened with Robin Williams.

QUESTION(S):

Do you think this is a love poem?

Love Poem #6 – “Ardella” by Langston Hughes

By

heart box

I would liken you
To a night without stars
Were it not for your eyes.
I would liken you
To a sleep without dreams
Were it not for your song

Comment:

This is a beautiful description from the eyes of a soulful lover.

 

Love Poem #5 – “A Wooing” by Langston Hughes

By

heart box

 

 

 

I will bring you big things:
Colors of dawn-morning,
Beauty of rose leaves,
And a flaming love.

But you say
Those are not big things,
That only money counts.

Well,
Then I will bring you money.
But do not ask me
For the beauty of rose leaves,
Nor the colors of dawn-morning,
Nor a flaming love.

 

Comment:

I think the lover is saying here that my love is priceless and I am willing to give it to you.   However, you choose material things and I can give those things, too.

But don’t ever ask for the best of me.

I guess there would be some who would consider this a bargain.

QUESTION(S):

Do you think “relational bargains” really occur?

Love Poem #4 – “Fire-Caught” by Langston Hughes

By

heart box

 

 

 

The gold moth did not love him
So, gorgeous, she flew away.
But the gray moth circled the flame
Until the break of day.
And then, with wings like a dead desire,
She fell, fire-caught, into the flame.

 

This poem tells us that sometimes the love we search for comes from an unexpected source.

The journey of the gray moth is moving as she patiently gives all for love.

I really like this one.

QUESTION(S):

Have you ever felt like the gray moth?