MWC Book Club: From The Gumbo Pot Poems - Grandmother Africa

The first Mother Wit Central Book Club will share conversations inspired by books, poetry and stories. The first book that will kick off this remarkable, international event: “The Gumbo Pot Poems” written by,

The Golden Brown Fairy Godmother, Alyce Smith Cooper & Friends,

Jaime V. Jones & Judy Sundayo

As an appetizer:

Planning Meeting -Zoom Session

Tuesday, February 2nd at 10:30am PST

https://zoom.us/j/99541066644&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0d9dgbUz39mMg86JtS8_Mm

GRANDMOTHER AFRICA

GRANDMOTHER AFRICA birthed suckled reared

Her brilliant children

Was able to keep some by her side

To keep the home fires burning

Many were stolen sailed away from her arms richly black

To form the fortunes of the earth

Build empires give birth to cultures diasporic

Centers to give honor to African Genius

In Moscow, Paris, Jakarta, L.A., New York, N.Y.,

Peoria, Ill., San Diego, CA., Tokyo

Cultural food cooked up like collard greens

Okra, yams, Fufu, Bar-B-Q, sweet potato pie, fried chicken,

Red soda water tasted to the tune of the blues

Jazz hummed/moaned/shouted gospel style

Celebrating the science of the peanut, the pyramid

The cotton gin, the traffic light

Blood plasma and so very much more

Broad noses, sparkling eyes, full luscious lips

Hair with that familiar kink

GOD’s light shining from the souls of Black Folk

Sent from Sirius to this experiment called earth

Together we stand/forward we move

Boldly facing century 21

Lifting high our faithful hopes

In the sound of the dance

The words of the symphony

The rhythm of the breath of the poet

In the latent artist which sleeps

In the breast of so many of your children

GRANDMOTHER AFRICA

Sweetly solemnly respectfully we salute you

Embrace you and our relatives flung to the four winds

Your children from all corners of the universe

Are coming together to know and care for you

In your elder song breathe deeply knowing

Your family loves you and will continue

Creating worlds upon worlds

Remembering our Heroes/Sheroes

Kings/Queens/High Priests all your blood

And never forgetting YOU

Alyce Smith Cooper

Mother Wit Central

Mother Wit Central is a gathering place for sharing stories that uncover the mystery of how the mother wit spirit serves as our guide to building community. How does Mother Wit guide us through our fear of the other? And how does the spirit shepherd us through lessons in forgiveness and acceptance? In the darkest moments of isolation, shame or anger, what role does Mother Wit play in calming the waters, helping us see the world anew? Join us in discovering how Mother Wit works in our lives and how that spirit works in other cultures.

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