Poetry Sunday: Death Is Not As Natural As You Fags Seem to Think

American poet Amiri Baraka, born Leroi Jones on October 7, 1934, died this past week. He was a controversial and profane poet, but his poetry drew praise from many critics and fans for its originality and honesty.

I never really was a big fan of his poetry, perhaps because I just didn't understand it, but anyone of my generation was certainly aware of Baraka and his work. He was a cultural icon for many.

Reading through several of his poems recently, in search of one to feature on this Poetry Sunday, I came across this one, which seemed both ironic and very appropriate, given the circumstances.   

Death Is Not As Natural As You Fags Seem to Think

BY AMIRI BARAKA

I hunt

the black puritan.

                            (Half-screamer

in dull tones

of another forest.

Respecter of power. That it transform, and enlarge   

Hierarchy crawls over earth (change exalting space   

Dried mud to mountain, cape and whip, swirled   

Walkers, and riders and flyers.

Language spread into darkness. Be Vowel

                                                            and value   

                                              Consonant

                                                            and direction.   

Rather the lust of the thing

than across to droop at its energies. In melted snows   

the leather cracks, and pure men claw at their bodies.   

Women laugh delicately, delicately rubbing their thighs.

And the dead king laughs, looking out the hole   

in his tomb. Seeing the poor   

singing his evil songs.