Farewell to Nikki Giovanni
Yesterday, the world lost a powerful voice, the legendary poet Nikki Giovanni. For me, her passing brings to mind how profoundly her work shaped not only my understanding of poetry but, more significantly, my sister Janine’s life and work. Janine, a poet in her own right, first introduced me to Giovanni’s words. Through her, I saw how Giovanni’s poetry uplifted and provoked, celebrated joy, and confronted injustice—always with grace, compassion, and unwavering truth.
Giovanni’s voice, bold and tender in equal measure, was a guiding light for Janine, much as she has been (and still is) a North Star for me. Janine taught me that poetry is not just an art form; it’s a space for vulnerability, growth, and expression. Giovanni showed her—and by extension, me—that to be an artist is to be deeply human, full of contradictions, yet always striving for integrity. Her works like Black Feeling, Black Talk, and Love Poems helped Janine see the importance of standing firm in her truths, while also embracing the imperfection of the journey. And in turn, Janine helped me understand that I, too, could find my voice, one that both listens and speaks.
Giovanni’s legacy as a poet, activist, and educator is immeasurable, spanning decades of work that touched so many. Her impact, particularly on Black poetry and culture, will never be forgotten. She received countless accolades and yet beyond her accomplishments, it’s the personal connections she forged through her words that remain the most powerful.
I know that Janine will continue to carry Giovanni’s influence in her heart as she writes, just as I will bring it with me as I reflect on how this remarkable woman helped shape both our lives.
Thank you, Nikki Giovanni. Your work mattered more than you could ever know.
Dreams
By Nikki Giovanni
in my younger years
before i learned
black people aren’t
suppose to dream
i wanted to be
a raelet
and say “dr o wn d in my youn tears”
or “tal kin bout tal kin bout”
or marjorie hendricks and grind
all up against the mic
and scream
“baaaaaby nightandday
baaaaaby nightandday”
then as i grew and matured
i became more sensible
and decided i would
settle down
and just become
a sweet inspiration