In the wake of the tragic Las Vegas Shooting, for today's Thoughtful Thursday we offer inspirational poems of survival. We begin with "little prayer" by Danez Smith, a call for healing. We move on to classic celebrations of survival, "Life is Fine" by Langston Hughes and "And Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou. We end with "Shoulders", in which [...]
Today's Thoughtful Thursday brings poetry of the resistance. Generations of African American poets have given us clarity, purpose and direction in times of political crisis. Here are poems from three of our great poets: Claude McKay (1889-1948), Langston Hughes (1902-1967), and Nikki Giovanni (1943-). We need this poetry now more than ever. Share with your children and enjoy. I [...]
Today's Thoughtful Thursday presents a cool poetry combo: "We Real Cool", a classic from Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000), our first national Black Poet Laureate, and a poem inspired by this classic, "Because it looked hotter that way" by Camille T.Dungy (1972-), an award winning poet who teaches at San Francisco State University. Dungy's poem is an acrostic which uses each [...]
Today's Thoughtful Thursday offers quotes to help our children and ourselves with the transition to a new school year. Here are some quotes to remind us of the value of the educational journey, and some to encourage them as they return to the classroom. Share with your sons, and enjoy. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can [...]
We celebrate Labor Day, the first Monday in September, as the end of summer, and the return to work or school. But how did it come to be? Labor Day is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It was established in 1894 as a holiday to pay [...]
In honor of this being the first day of African-American Music Appreciation Month, Thoughtful Thursday is dedicated to poetry about Black music. We've got a tribute to the blues by Langston Hughes (and yes, that rhyme was on purpose); award-winning poet Quincy Troupe commemorating the day Duke Ellington ascended to the pearly gates; and poet and composer James Weldon [...]
The youngest son in my family is graduating high school tomorrow. So proud of this guy! In honor of all the graduates on this Thoughtful Thursday, GCP would like to dust off an old favorite, "If for Boys" by Rudyard Kipling. The words of this poem never fail to inspire, and its wisdom is timeless. Enjoy. Congrats to the [...]
While we at GCP have never been super hyped for the "Hallmark Holiday" aspect of Mother's Day, we certainly believe that mothers should be heralded, and not just on the second Sunday in May. So, we will take this Thoughtful Thursday opportunity to pay tribute to mothers with the poetry of two of our legends, Langston Hughes and Nikki [...]
In celebration of two graduations in May in our household (one son from high school, one from college), today's Thoughtful Thursday presents poems for graduation from some very well known poets: Langston Hughes, Rudyard Kipling and Marge Piercy. These poems focus on dreams, give advice about becoming a man, and contemplate the new beginnings that graduations bring. Share them [...]
Today's Thoughtful Thursday celebrates Earth Day with poems from three wonderful and accomplished poets: Jane Yolen, Joy Harjo, and Lucille Clifton. In addition to being a celebrated poet, Jane Yolen (b.1939) is a science fiction and fantasy writer, editor and children’s author, whose stories use rhythm and rhyme in conjunction with elements of folklore and fantasy. Critically acclaimed poet [...]