Happy Saturday! For #BlackHistoryMonth, I’m highlighting Black poets who inspired me. Starting with Langston Hughes—his work, especially “Harlem”, “Weary Blues” and “Let America Be America Again” shaped me as a poet if you haven’t read them you should. New poems below. #poetry #poems #blueskypoets - ThreadSky

bigjosh84.bsky.social • 21 days ago

Happy Saturday! For #BlackHistoryMonth, I’m highlighting Black poets who inspired me. Starting with Langston Hughes—his work, especially “Harlem”, “Weary Blues” and “Let America Be America Again” shaped me as a poet if you haven’t read them you should. New poems below. #poetry #poems #blueskypoets

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Comments

daysonrick.bsky.social•21 days ago

He was influential during the Harlem Renaissance and beyond.

Great choice!
#BlackHistory
https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/langston-hughes-harlem-renaissance

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

Absolutely! Langston Hughes had such a lasting impact, not just during the Harlem Renaissance but well beyond it. Glad you agree—he’s truly one of the greats. Thanks for sharing the link too!

daysonrick.bsky.social•20 days ago

You're very welcome.

caperlady1969.bsky.social•21 days ago

Beautiful; evocative.

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

Thank you so much! I’m glad it resonated with you—your words mean a lot! Also thank you so very much for reading!

malaikarsimmons.bsky.social•21 days ago

Love this!

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

Thank you, Malaika! I’m so glad you love it. Your support means a lot! Also thank you so much for taking the time to read my post it means the world to me.

malaikarsimmons.bsky.social•21 days ago

Keep posting. It matters! Especially now.

rajaru.bsky.social•21 days ago

Ghost of Choices, so captured how many times I find myself wondering what if...

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

I’m so glad “Ghost of Choices” resonated with you! That feeling of wondering “what if” is something so many of us can relate to—it’s a haunting thought that sticks with you. Thanks for sharing your reaction, it means a lot to know the piece connected with you!

saturdaynightsoup.bsky.social•20 days ago

📌

saturdaynightsoup.bsky.social•20 days ago

His poem, "Mother to Son", greatly helped me to survive the death of my mother. It is become a permanent part of my inner life.

bigjosh84.bsky.social•11 days ago

That’s incredibly powerful. Langston Hughes had a way of speaking directly to the soul, and ‘Mother to Son’ carries such strength and resilience. I’m deeply sorry for your loss, but I’m glad his words could be a source of support for you. Poetry has a way of keeping the ones we love close.

mpopfra.bsky.social•21 days ago

What a great way to share the talents of Black poets & share these works w/ others. 👏

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

Thank you so much for the kind words and for reading! I’m glad you appreciate the effort to highlight Black poets and their incredible work. It means a lot to me to be able to share and celebrate these voices. Thanks again for your support!

nurjam86.bsky.social•20 days ago

#BlackHistoryMonth

gwenmc1.bsky.social•19 days ago

girl1veteran.bsky.social•4 days ago

You can never forget Langston. He was introduced to me by my 5th grade teacher and I have been obsessed ever since ☺️

resistfascism2024.bsky.social•21 days ago

Bravo Joshua, love, “Last Night.”

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

Priscilla, thank you so very much for reading and your kind words. I’m really happy Last Night spoke to you it’s a poem I’m really proud of.

adriennearche11.bsky.social•21 days ago

Love Langston Hughes.

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

Adrienne. I’m so glad to hear that! Langston Hughes is truly timeless—his work has had such a profound impact on so many. Thanks for reading!

markbitty.bsky.social•21 days ago

Great idea!

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

Thanks for reading! Thanks so much! I’m glad you think so. I’m excited to see where this idea goes!

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

300 chars isn’t enough to fully honor Hughes. He taught me what it means to live in a 'free' country yet not be free. While I’ll never understand his struggle, his raw, heartbreaking words open up my eyes and move me deeply every time I read them. #poetry #BlackHistoryMonth
.

stephanie315.bsky.social•14 days ago

Awesome

bigjosh84.bsky.social•11 days ago

Thank you so much for
Reading! And for your kind response.

davidhcrocker.bsky.social•21 days ago

Joshua, I don't know why you and I follow each other. But I hope we're OK with each other. In 1970 I recited the Gettysburg Address in a play written by my Sixth Grade teacher. 50 Plus years later I remember him. A blind, vegetarian American patriot.

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

Hey, it’s funny how connections happen sometimes, but I’m glad we’re following each other! Your memory of reciting the Gettysburg Address in 1970 is pretty powerful. It sounds like your teacher had a lasting impact on you—he must have been quite the character and I’m guessing an amazing teacher.

espresso-ruth1.bsky.social•17 days ago

and the delicacy:

"sometimes a crumb falls
from the tables of joy..."

biggerthanfrogs.bsky.social•20 days ago

Some very nice imagery in your poems: "mercy bends like brittle glass", "the wind plays requiems through shattered windows", "the holy books are clenched in fists" etc. Nice work.
Here's one I wrote, I assume, about the same event as 'Wolves in the Cathedral', though from a different perspective.

biggerthanfrogs.bsky.social•20 days ago

Apologies, I just realised that I used the word 'nice', not once but twice. I couldn't have picked a more insipid word! Please exchange for "powerful" or the synonym of your choice. 😬

bigjosh84.bsky.social•19 days ago

No worries at all—I got the sentiment! ‘Powerful’ is always a welcome upgrade, though. Appreciate the kind words either way.

bigjosh84.bsky.social•19 days ago

Appreciate that! I always aim for strong imagery, so I’m glad those lines stood out. Your piece is beautifully done—I really liked how you approached it. Interesting how different perspectives emerge from the same spark.

wishformore.bsky.social•20 days ago

Beautiful, man

bigjosh84.bsky.social•19 days ago

That means a lot. Glad you liked it.

wishformore.bsky.social•19 days ago

It affected me- Realignment in this hellacious experience. Thank you

1brightcorona.bsky.social•18 days ago

I should end every day checking out your post. You share important messages we need to remember to incorporate into this stressful time.

bigjosh84.bsky.social•11 days ago

That truly means a lot. If my words can offer even a little clarity or peace in the chaos, then I’m doing something right. Appreciate you taking the time to read.

ethnierocks.bsky.social•21 days ago

Omg the wolves in the cathedral …

teemccarthy.bsky.social•21 days ago

I jumped on to say the same. 🤢

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

Hey, I really hope you enjoyed it! It wasn’t clear from your reaction whether you loved it or hated it—or maybe a bit of both—but either way, I’m glad it made you feel something. Thank you so much for reading!

teemccarthy.bsky.social•21 days ago

I’m so sorry for not being clear. I LOVE his gift and am grateful for your post!! I was deeply impressed by how prescient “Wolves in the Cathedral” was and is. My “sick face” was because it’s precisely what is happening in the U.S. BTW, thanks for asking. I could have hurt you and others. 💞👍🏼💞

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

No worries at all, and thank you for clarifying! I’m really glad the piece resonated with you, especially given its relevance today. I appreciate your honesty and kind words—thanks so much for reading and sharing your thought!

teemccarthy.bsky.social•20 days ago

I was blown away!!💞👍🏼💞

ethnierocks.bsky.social•13 days ago

Love it lol

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

Thank you so much for reading Ethnie! And yeah it’s a powerful one isn’t it, I know it can be a bit jarring was even for me writing it but at the same time I was like wow I have to post this after. Hope you enjoyed it as I feel like it’s one that can go either way depending on the person.

ethnierocks.bsky.social•21 days ago

Thanks hon … I admit I’m a bit slow re black/male poets loved Maya Angelou but happy I’ve discovered him … thank you 🙏

bigjosh84.bsky.social•21 days ago

No worries at all, and I’m so glad you’ve discovered Hughes! He’s truly a game-changer, and his work resonates deeply on so many levels. Maya Angelou’s incredible too—both of them have shaped so much of poetry. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and I’m happy to have introduced you to his work! 🙏

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