Poems by Luther Jarman

TRAINS

I heard about the Gospel train, the Friendship train, the Love train, the Soul train, now the Freedom train. What about the Hope train? So you stay on the right track and don’t get on the Dope train. Keep hope alive! Win or die! God will provide! Don’t lose your hope! You can cope!

The Hope train—now that sounds like a good train.

Luther Jarman

BORN TO WRITE

I’m a lover, not a fighter. My pen is the tongue of a ready writer. Neglect not the gift of God in you. Writing is what I was born to do. To the writing game I must be true. I write for myself and not for you. I write day and night. I fight the good fight. Thank God I was born to write.

Luther Jarman

DETOX 54!

What the hell is going on in my mind? I’m casting my pearls before swine. Selling my birthright for a pint of wine. Black women smoking crack, with super space monkeys on their back. My 36-year-old downfall Finds me in Harlem Hospital kicking alcohol.

Luther Jarman

MEETING AT THE GREYHOUND BUS STATION

A generation comes and a generation goes. The same questions and the answers we don’t know.

Moving from Ohio to New York. Still living in the dark.

I tear down my house to cook my hog. And find myself riding the grey dog.

Crows flying round the garbage dump. Wise old bullfrog sitting on a stump.

I left all of this for New York? Still living in the dark.

A generation comes and a generation goes. The same questions and the answers we don’t know.

I tear down my house to cook my hog. And find myself riding the grey dog.

Luther Jarman

AS I WRITE

IN MEMORY OF SHERRY P.

The poet must write, write, write like a boxer must fight, fight, fight. I write because that’s my calling. As I find myself falling in love with four-letter words as I sing with the mockingbirds. I watch Planet of the Apes as I tug on my Superman’s cape. The poet must write himself back into shape.

Luther Jarman

“FINESSE”

IN MEMORY OF ERIK N.

A Poet has passed from the earth A Poet of great worth Born of a poetic birth A Poet has passed from the earth Finesse created his poems for the world to see Dealing with life and HIV Finesse was a friend to me Poets alone are sure of immortality Live on in your poetry, Finesse! Finesse, you was the best! Your poetry will live in our hearts Finesse, you did your part A Poet has passed from the earth A Poet of great worth Rest in Peace! Finesse!

DON’T LET THE POETRY DIE!

I lift up mine eyes unto the hills As I bless my oatmeal The city making budget cuts Bowery bums picking up cigarette butts $80 for a tank of gas? How long will these troubles last? Grits and eggs, honey and pie. Not just fools believe a lie. Fly poetry, fly! I refuse to let poetry die.

Luther Jarman

Luther Jarman

AGELESS BEAUTY

You got beauty and brains You put a lot of women to shame

Ageless Beauty!!

It’s my sacred duty To tell you of your

Ageless Beauty!!

Beauty that’s first class Pure raw natural beauty made to last Ageless as the American Dream Pure as a mountain stream Goodness and beauty year after year A woman of courage who has no fear You got beauty and brains You put a lot of women to shame

Ageless Beauty!!

Luther Jarman