Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Brooks was an absolutely phenomenal poet with an equally phenomenal background. Unfortunately, she died in 2000, but in her 80+ years on this earth, she left us (in my humble opinion) some of the most important poetry and art in the 20th century. Brooks grew up in Chicago in the 1930s and 1940s - not exactly the easiest time for black women in America. In her work, Brooks broke barriers that many thought would never be broken. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1949 for he book entitled Annie Allen. In 1968, she was named the Poet Laureate of Illinois. At a turbulent time in rapidly changing American social and political culture, Brooks was able to break down the illusion that minorities were not capable of high intellectual thought and groundbreaking creativity.

Aside from all of these accolades from critics and readers, Brooks is simply put an amazing poet, and one who every single person on this earth should have the pleasure of experiencing. Here is an short sample of her work form The Bean Eaters (1960). Also, you can check out Gwendolyn's page on poets.org. Enjoy! :)

The Bean Eaters
They eat beans mostly, this old yellow pair. Dinner is a casual affair. Plain chipware on a plain and creaking wood, Tin flatware. Two who are Mostly Good. Two who have lived their day, But keep on putting on their clothes And putting things away. And remembering . . . Remembering, with twinklings and twinges, As they lean over the beans in their rented back room that is full of beads and receipts and dolls and cloths, tobacco crumbs, vases and fringes.