Today's Thoughtful Thursday is brought to you by Autumn. It was a blustery late afternoon here in New York City, and the swirling leaves remind us that fall is truly upon us. A childhood favorite about the wind, which should be shared with all little ones, joins another poem and a few quotes about this lovely season. Enjoy!!! Who [...]
Today's Thoughtful Thursday post, as it falls on Halloween, is dedicated to a series of delightfully sinister "Little Willie" poems. Little Willie poetry is first attributed to the poet Harry Graham, who published a series of these four line poems in his book, "Ruthless Rhymes for Heartless Homes", which was published circa 1899. Many Little Willie poems have followed, [...]
Today's Thoughtful Thursday thoughts were found in a small blue book called "Famous Black Quotations and some not so famous" which has graced my shelf for as long as I can remember. Here are a few quotes to think about and share with your sons. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * [...]
Today's Thoughtful Thursday offerings are a series of four poems about young men by Black poets of several generations. Enjoy! Young Soul first feel, then feel, then read. or read, then feel, then fall, or stand, where you already are, think of your self, and the other selves...think of your parents, your mothers and sisters, then feel, or fall, [...]
Today's Thoughtful Thursday offerings are two classics from Langston Hughes, courtesy of two special guest GCP contributors. To my delight, when I asked my two sons (independently) to tell me their favorite poems, they chose the following two Hughes poems about dreams. These poems are among my favorites as well. Enjoy! Harlem What happens to a dream deferred? Does [...]
Today's inspiration comes in the form of a delightful poem by Nikki Giovanni about the joys of summer, and a classic from Langston Hughes: Knoxville, Tennessee I always like summer Best you can eat fresh corn From daddy's garden And okra And greens And cabbage And lots of Barbeque And buttermilk And homemade ice-cream At the church picnic And [...]
Happy Fourth! Today's first Thoughtful Thursday offering is a moving poem about our nation written by Claude McKay, a Jamaican American writer and poet who figured prominently in the Harlem Renaissance. America Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth, Stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured [...]
Today's Thoughtful Thursday post is a poem called "The Bridge Builder" by Will Allen Dromgoole (1860-1934). This poem comes courtesy of Mayor David N. Dinkins, former mayor of New York City. Mayor Dinkins often recites this poem in his speeches, especially in when he is talking to groups of children. This poem reminds us all of the importance of [...]
Here's a new GCP weekly feature: Thoughtful Thursday. Every Thursday we will post a creative writing to inspire you and your boys. Today's offering is a classic from Rudyard Kipling: If for Boys. The first line came to mind recently as I wrote to encourage a friend who was a target of unfair criticism. I dug up the poem [...]