JAWANZA DUMISANI
310-462-0864
Books
BLACK RAISING CANE OVER RED evolved from a principle practiced at The World Stage Anassi Writer's workshop.
Honor the truth.
From that single premise sprang the idea of sharing my personal story and familial history through poetry. That, coupled with growing up in such a colorful time and place like Detroit during the sixties provides historical context that transcends the very essence of this wonderful art form. Mrs. Kirk, my high school English teacher was extremely influential in shaping not only my approach to a literary standard but also the level of commitment imparted to the pursuit of the actual craft.
Jawanza Dumisani
EXCERPT FROM
Statue At Sacred Heart Seminary:
Part I (July, 1968)
We yelped like torched dogs.
After the loot & burn
M-16s lowered,
tanks retreat to ‘Nam
I rushed before school
as if Judas returned
& rolled away the stone.
Face, hands, glazed coal
whitewashed &
back again
three times or more,
clandestine
while the salvaged sleep.
Even the alabaster foot
beyond his robe.
COMING IN 2015!
EXCERPT FROM
Statue At Sacred Heart Seminary:
Part II (August, 2012)
Papal lips’ urgent flap
Lost Books & Nag Hamada
sealed in Easter’s cadaver.
Pope John Paul visits Sacred Heart
the white statue utters prophesies
even Rome denies. Brother King coffined
in Motor City’s effigy; bulletproof leather
& black berets wear defiance,
rewrite gospel one savior at a time.
If only thoughts were my tongue’s taskmaster.
As a boy I transcribe on sheets of fire,
wonder why Cro-Magnon aren’t in Genesis
or coelacanths don’t dangle
from saber skin. Sixth, seventh,
forty-eighth birthday; the words
two thousand years ago echo,
time propped perfectly still
resurrection fossilized by fear.