Comments on: Kwansaba: birth of a poetry form

By: Riehlife Poem-of-the-Day: “Miles of Jazz,” a Kwansaba by Darlene Duncan Swanson Roy | Riehlife

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:09:06 +0000

[...] the original poetry form known as the “Kwansaba.” Read a detailed explanation of the Kwansaba with more examples on this previous Riehlife post. You can experience the power of the Kwansaba with its cadence and condensed essence below in [...]

By: Birthdays and Boys Oh My! « Mahoganie: Musings East of the Anacostia River

Birthdays and Boys Oh My! « Mahoganie: Musings East of the Anacostia River — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:36:42 +0000

[...] or maybe I’ll push of something I did before…a Couplet. I would love to have them try a Kwansaba, but that’s too much to explain and break down in the hour and 30 minutes I have with [...]

By: danlami

danlami — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:48:50 +0000

i stretch my arms to touch Chioma
she says no, still three months more
come back to see whats in store
but now be kind and walk away
yes walk but not too far away
for when the month of harvest comes
you will reap, my dear, many tons!

By: Mxolisi T. Sowell

Mxolisi T. Sowell — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:49:44 +0000

My Kwansaba veers from the stated standard. Have seven syllables per line rather than seven words.

Kwanzaa is the name given
the great life celebration
of women, men, boys and girls
rising up in the power --
the African-born spirit
of oneness, purpose and faith,
of truth, beauty and goodness.

Rise up my people, rise up.
Let's accomplish what we will.
With each new life liberated,
there's a new world we must build.
Nguzo Saba power
our world-wide foundation
for true life in our nations.

Let that power find in you
fertile spirit, heart and mind
yearning to be truly free.
Let Nguzo Saba fruit
be no stranger on your tree.
Let them grow prodigiously --
nurture for freedom seekers.

By: New Media Poetry « ENGL 3342 American Poetry

New Media Poetry « ENGL 3342 American Poetry — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:12:55 +0000

[...] • Kwansaba [...]

By: Deveran "Bleek" Ashe

Deveran "Bleek" Ashe — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:25:26 +0000

A Blues For Obama

you are the trumpet that blows respect
the upright bass lics so so complex
drum and snare kicks, the what's next
the bassoon breeze, the black global digest
the viola soft strings with galant finesse
kalimba king with dulcet rings, silent moon
cymbals that don't oppress, Obama is promise!