Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni is a world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and
educator. Over the past thirty years, her outspokenness, in her writing and in
lectures, has brought the eyes of the world upon her. One of the most
widely-read American poets, she prides herself on being "a Black American, a
daughter, a mother, a professor of English." Giovanni remains as determined and
committed as ever to the fight for civil rights and equality. Always insisting
on presenting the truth as she sees it, she has maintained a prominent place as
a strong voice of the Black community. Her focus is on the individual,
specifically, on the power one has to make a difference in oneself, and thus, in
the lives of others (http://nikki-giovanni.com/bio.shtml)
educator. Over the past thirty years, her outspokenness, in her writing and in
lectures, has brought the eyes of the world upon her. One of the most
widely-read American poets, she prides herself on being "a Black American, a
daughter, a mother, a professor of English." Giovanni remains as determined and
committed as ever to the fight for civil rights and equality. Always insisting
on presenting the truth as she sees it, she has maintained a prominent place as
a strong voice of the Black community. Her focus is on the individual,
specifically, on the power one has to make a difference in oneself, and thus, in
the lives of others (http://nikki-giovanni.com/bio.shtml)
Analysis
this lady doesn't know what to do with her life, for example, she says "i am cotton candy on a rainy day. the unrealized dream of an idea unborn". she is not understanding her purpose in life, why she is here. its like she has nobody, no one wants her, yet she prefers to be alone anyway even though she know she needs someone. her "psychiatrists, psychologists, politicians, and social workers don't even know why she wants to be alone if she is lonely. She seems to know she is "not an easy women to get along with" but it is hard explaing to herself why.
Devices
Cliche:
"though in my community the vernacular is One Monkey Don't Stop the Show"
-the cliche being "One Monkey don't stop the show" since it is the vernacular many people say it making the impact and meaning less effective.
Analogy:
"If loneliness were a grape
the wine would be vintage
If it were a wood
the furniture would be mahogany
But since it is life it is
Cotton Candy
on a rainy day"
-she uses all of these different comparisons to make sure she is understood, trying to explain she is alone, doesnt have anyone, can't be gotten or kept. Mahogany is hard to get like she is and Cotton Candy would melt in the ran showing that she cant be kept.
"though in my community the vernacular is One Monkey Don't Stop the Show"
-the cliche being "One Monkey don't stop the show" since it is the vernacular many people say it making the impact and meaning less effective.
Analogy:
"If loneliness were a grape
the wine would be vintage
If it were a wood
the furniture would be mahogany
But since it is life it is
Cotton Candy
on a rainy day"
-she uses all of these different comparisons to make sure she is understood, trying to explain she is alone, doesnt have anyone, can't be gotten or kept. Mahogany is hard to get like she is and Cotton Candy would melt in the ran showing that she cant be kept.