TALK TO THE DADDY

Hello. Come on in. The daddy writes about current events, literature, music and, once in a while, drops something on you from back in the day to make you pause and ponder, stop and stare, and begin to wonder. Who knows? You may start to pace the floor, shake your head from side to side, then fall down on bended knees in a praying position and cry, "Lawd, have mercy! What is this world coming to?" Check yourself! But this blog is NOT about the daddy. It's about you: your boos, your fam, your hood, your country...our hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow. So let's make a pact: the daddy will put it on the track if you'll chase it down and hit him back. Together, we can definitely take it to another level. Shall we?"

Monday, December 8, 2008

The river and Langston Hughes on a cold winter's day?

It's very cold and windy in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Snow is on the ground. But, in the daddy's mind, it's the middle of June, and he is, once again, down at St. Anthony Main, a riverfront offering visitors acres of parks, trails, picnic areas, landmarks, a
Mov
ie Theater, restaurants, shops, family-oriented events, entertainment and and numerous walk or bike trails to explore.

In the daddy's mind, he is still walking by the river but always ending in the middle of the St. Anthony bridge, staring into moving waters, listening to the sound of the waves, reciting his favorite poem by Langston Hughes:


The Negro Speaks of Rivers
by Langston Hughes

I've known rivers
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy
bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I've known rivers.
Ancient, dusky rivers

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

Where do you go to soothe your soul on a cold winter's day-- if only in
your mind?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just found you from RawDawg. Good content. Professional. Lots of stuff about music. Are you a musician or a photographer?

SagaciousHillbilly said...

Ahhhh, A nice warm post. It was nice the first time you posted it and maybe even nicer on this frigid snowy day.
Reminds me how much I love rivers. What great metaphors of life they are.
But it's still freezing cold outside and I can't wait to head to FL for New Years.

Revvy Rev said...

Congratulations on your new membership in The Spear! This is a fine blog.

Anonymous said...

congrats on being chosen for Afrospear network -
you deserve it!

Anonymous said...

Daddy, saw Cadillac Records. I read your blog, so I told my friends what you said about Little Walter. They just talked about Beyonce. Maybe if you show the story about Little Walter again, they'll learn something and stop talking Beyonce. She can't act no way.

rainywalker said...

Makes me think of the canoe trip I took from Macon, GA to Jeckle Island on the Atlantic. Met many interesting people along the river and thinking about it brings all the warm memories back.

Somebodies Friend said...

I love Minneapolis and St Anthony Main.

And the poem about the river is really good McDaddy, I really feel it.

Thanks

I'm having a bad day!

LISA VAZQUEZ said...

"My soul has grown deep like the rivers."

Ahhhhh...

I have always inhaled whenever I have read those words.

Christopher said...

Minneapolis may have even worse winter weather than where we are in Upstate NY.

I can't see living here winter after winter.

It it too cold for this hot blooded Italian. I need the sun and warmth.

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

Lisa: Me too. That's why I keep going back to this poem..."My soul has grown deep like the rivers."

I feel it more and more each day.

December 9, 2008 12:35 AM
Delete

Lenoxave said...

I've always loved this poem and remember it from childhood. The Fall/Winter represents a time for reflection. I visited my family back home in NYC and they helped bring back my "center."

I usually curl up w/a good book and listen to music. I sometimes go for a walk which always helps w/perspective.

Anonymous said...

Dabble into another hearty meal and listen to/buy Gary Bartz's song "I've Known Rivers" which was inspired by Langston's poem. Quite remarkable piece of Jazz-manship, Daddy-O.