Poem-a-Day - Summer Camp: Jazz Poetry

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
July 27, 2022

Jazz poetry is a literary genre defined as poetry necessarily informed by jazz music—that is, poetry in which the poet responds to and writes about jazz. Jazz poetry, like the music itself, encompasses a variety of forms, rhythms, and sounds. Beginning with the birth of blues and jazz at the start of the twentieth century, jazz poetry can be seen as a thread that runs through the Harlem Renaissancethe Beat movement, and the Black Arts Movement—and it is still vibrant today. From early blues to free jazz to experimental music, jazz poets use their appreciation for the music as poetic inspiration.

The following activities have been adapted from “Teach This Poem: ‘This Is Not a Small Voice’ by Sonia Sanchez.” They can be done alone or with a guardian, sibling, friend, or partner.
  1. Warm-up: Free-write or draw about the following questions: What is voice? What is the power of a voice? 

  2. Before Reading the Poem: Look at these images from the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. What do you notice in these images? What similarities do you see? What do they make you think? 

  3. Reading the Poem: Now, silently read the poem “This Is Not a Small Voice” by Sonia Sanchez. What do you notice about the poem? Note any words or phrases that stand out to you and note any questions you might have.

  4. Listening to the Poem (If you have a partner, take turns reading the poem aloud): Listen as the poem is read aloud twice, and write down any additional words and phrases that stand out to you. Or, you can opt to listen to or watch a video of a student reciting the poem. 

  5. Small-group Discussion: Share what you noticed in the poem with a partner. Based on the details you just shared and the images from earlier, what is the power of a voice? How does this compare to the images from the 1963 march and your own images/pieces of writing? 

  6. Whole-class Discussion: How does the poet use repetition in the poem? What does the poem say about justice? What do you think of the lines, “This is a love initiated by Black Genius. / This is not a small voice / you hear/?”

  7. Extension for Grades 7-8: Create your own poem inspired by Sanchez’s work. What is it that you want to say? (You might enjoy using this interactive site from Kent State University.

  8. Extension for Grades 9-12: Read more about Sonia Sanchez. Then, watch this Ted Talk by Sanchez. Write a response to the question in the video, “What does it mean to be human?” Your response may be a poem, a prose piece, or something more creative like a collage or other piece of artwork. (You might enjoy this writing prompt, composed by the poet Yona Harvey.)
Read and listen to “from ‘The Last Bohemian of Avenue A’” by Yusef Komunyakaa and “One Flower” by Jack Kerouac. Follow poets.org on TikTok for more videos.

Song of the Andoumboulou: 50” by Nathaniel Mackey
Jazz Fan Looks Back” by Jayne Cortez 
Time Study” by Marvin Bell
Long Gone” by Sterling A. Brown 
Blue Dementia” by Yusef Komunyakaa 
Songs to Joannes, V” by Mina Loy 
Ballad” by Sonia Sanchez 

The following poets have work in the jazz tradition. Click on their names to read their biographies:
Amiri Baraka
Marvin Bell
Sterling A. Brown
Hayden Carruth
Michael S. Harper
Jack Kerouac
Yusef Komunyakaa
Nathaniel Mackey
Mina Loy
Kenneth Rexroth
Sonia Sanchez
Jayne Cortez
Anaphora: a technique in which successive phrases or lines begin with the same words, often resembling a litany. 
Copyright © 2022 The Academy of American Poets, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:
The Academy of American Poets
75 Maiden Lane
St #901
New York, NY 10038

Add us to your address book


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Older messages

"the intimacies of what will be called our sacred alliance without history" by Simone White

Thursday, July 28, 2022

in community those who do not Facebook Twitter Instagram July 28, 2022 Support Poem-a-Day the intimacies of what will be called our sacred alliance without history Simone White in community those who

"Why Do You Love the Poem?" by Charles Bernstein

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

For the sentiment. — Then you don't love the poem Facebook Twitter Instagram July 27, 2022 Support Poem-a-Day Why Do You Love the Poem? Charles Bernstein For the sentiment. — Then you don't

Poems Inspired by Landscapes, Praise Poems, and More

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Support Poets.org July 26, 2022 Poems Inspired by Landscapes “[I wandered lonely as a Cloud]” by William Wordsworth “The Road” by Helene Johnson “Trying Too Hard to Write a Poem Sitting on the Beach

"Document" by Uche Nduka

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Change the bedding. / Rescue the last / clean shirt. Facebook Twitter Instagram July 26, 2022 Support Poem-a-Day Document Uche Nduka Change the bedding. Rescue the last clean shirt. Heads on top of

"Uvalde Shooting Highlights Role of Doors in Security Plans" by Deborah Paredez

Monday, July 25, 2022

The teacher remembers pulling the door / closed. Facebook Twitter Instagram July 25, 2022 Support Poem-a-Day “Uvalde Shooting Highlights Role of Doors in Security Plans” Deborah Paredez —AP News

You Might Also Like

"Someday I’ll Love—" by Emerald ᏃᏈᏏ GoingSnake

Thursday, November 7, 2024

like I dreamt of the lamb—slaughtered, / forgotten, Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day November 7, 2024 Someday I'll Love— Emerald ᏃᏈᏏ GoingSnake After Frank O'Hara like I dreamt of

Maybe don’t make your bed this morning

Thursday, November 7, 2024

— Check out what we Skimm'd for you today November 7, 2024 Subscribe Read in browser But first: a sweater-inspired throw blanket we love Update location or View forecast Quote of the Day "

This Winter 2024 Skirt Trend Belongs At *Every* Holiday Party

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Stunning. The Zoe Report Daily The Zoe Report 11.6.2024 This Winter 2024 Skirt Trend Belongs At *Every* Holiday Party You Attend (Style) This Winter 2024 Skirt Trend Belongs At *Every* Holiday Party

The Best Places to Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

How Joining a 'Lending Circle' Can Help Your Finances. Keep yourself safe by placing your carbon monoxide detectors in these areas. Not displaying correctly? View this newsletter online.

Dua Lipa's Cone Bra Corset Is A Sultry Corpcore Vibe

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Plus, Olivia Rodrigo's lingerie-inspired LBD, Katie Holmes' cutout dress, your horoscope, & more. Nov. 6, 2024 Bustle Daily A woman in a black suit with a white collar smiles beside a

Some Actually Good News From Last Night

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Today in style, self, culture, and power. The Cut November 6, 2024 2024 ELECTION Where Voters Overturned Trump's Abortion Bans For the first time since the end of Roe, some abortion ballot measures

Some Initial Thoughts on a Brutal Defeat

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Trump can no longer be dismissed as an aberration ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Enter to WIN a package full of 2024's best gifts!

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Our Favorite Gifts Sweepstakes ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Shop Till You Sleep

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

What Do You Think You're Looking At? #187 ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

cotton

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

on getting dressed ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏