V Day 2017

One of the best things things I did this week was reread the book of Love Poems written by the amazing Nikki Giovanni.  In undergrad at Hampton University, I was an English major.  Our department hosted a writer's series in which amazing writers such as Nikki Giovanni, Gloria Naylor, and Maya Angelou came to campus. These events were incredible. Each time I brought a book with me hoping to get it autographed, but no such luck. Nikki Giovanni did several readings including "All Eyes on U" her ode to the recently slain Tupac Shakur. That was 20 years ago in 1997, and I was all of 19 years old.  As I young, eager writer I sat in awe listening and inspired. For the last few years, I've made it a habit to read Love Poems by Nikki Giovanni on Valentine's Day.  This year on Instagram I shared on of my favorites: 

I Take Mastercard (charge Your Love to Me)

I've heard the stories
'bout how you don't deserve me
'cause I'm so strong and beautiful and wonderful and you could
never live up to what you know I should have but I just want to let you know:

I take Master Card

You can love me as much as your heart can stand
then put the rest on
account and pay the interest
each month until we get this thing settled

You see we modern women do comprehend
that we deserve a whole lot more
than what is normally being offered but we are trying
to get aligned with the modern world

So baby you can love me all
you like 'cause you're pre-approved
and you don't have to sign on
the bottom line

Charge it up
'til we just can't take no more
it's the modern way

I take Master Card
to see your Visa
and I deal with a Discovery but I don't want any American
Express 'cause like the Pointer Sisters say:  I need a slow hand.

Nikki Giovanni