Dicussion Post 7 - Discusson Post 7, RAW PDF

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Discusson Post 7, RAW...

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Nikki Giovanni starts out by admitting that she has essentially always been in the “same place.” This place, she describes, is all “Appalachia.” However, she did live in New York for eleven years and states that “New York is a fabulous place for writers because so much is available.” This availability creates memories that Giovanni can always go back to for inspiration. Giovanni describes her “sense of place” to not have “been violated.” This means, that within her relationship with Cincinnati and Virginia, she has reached a point to “utilize the knowledge” she has. As comfortability goes, Giovanni loves her Holiday Inns. In a completely serious tone, they allow for familiarity and security since they are all the same, no matter the travel. This idea adheres to Giovanni’s previous point of always being in the same place. After this hotel discussion, Giovanni discusses how she is a “futurist.” She loves space and the “possibilities it offers.” This idea of the universe is reflected in a poem in one of her recent books about space travel. This is a tie to a common theme of Giovanni’s work and an idea that she loves to write about. For me, I tend to focus on metaphors relating to darker issues such as abuse, rape, cigarettes, etc. Perhaps I will try this astronomy theme someday, for fun. Giovanni finishes her interview with a fun and whimsical thought about how an elderly, black woman holding a beer (specifically a poet), should be the first human sent up to Mars… interesting. In Giovanni’s first poem, “My First Memory (of Librarians)” there is a heavy focus on detail of setting. I think this style refers to Giovanni’s familiarity with all of the places she has lived. A dense portion of her life has always been close to home and being in the “same place;” therefore, I think this very descriptive and comfortable, secure place of the library is just another place that Giovanni can call home and be safe in--like a Holiday Inn. In Giovanni’s second poem “Knoxville, Tennessee,” this is a direct appreciation of her home. This poem shows the very true, authentic and secure place that Giovanni lived in. It encompasses elements of family such as “daddy’s garden,” “homemade ice-cream,” and “grandmother.” As well as ideas of tradition and familiarity such as “gospel music,” and “the church homecoming.” This is a direct correlation and relation to Giovanni and her home life in Tennessee. This can also relate to other of the “same places” in her home of Appalachia. In Giovanni’s last poem, “Quitting the Black-Eyed Pea,” she she explores her curiosity of a space, astronomy theme with the instant idea of Mars. This poem is all about travelling and discovering new places, as well as the the vast amount of space and unknowingness regarding Mars. This idea relates directly to Giovanni’s last portion of her interview where she divulges her love and interest in science, space travel, the planets, and an elderly, black, woman poet getting to Mars one day. This poem explores the benefits, downfalls and reasons of getting to Mars--all a very intriguing, while staying true to Giovanni’s voice and style....