Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Black Feminist Conference Reflections on Margaret Walker: Poet" by Sonia Sanchez is a rich, evocative portrayal of the poet Margaret Walker, capturing the essence of her presence and the impact she had on the audience during a feminist conference in Chicago, October 1977. Sanchez weaves a tapestry of imagery and emotion, reflecting on Walker's influence as a poet and as a beacon of Black feminist thought.

The poem begins by situating the reader in time and space: "chicago/october 1977/saturday afternoon." This precise timestamp immediately grounds the reader in the moment of encounter. Margaret Walker enters the scene, described as walking "her red clay mississippi walk into a room of feminists," which evokes her deep roots in the South and the cultural richness she brings with her. Sanchez describes her as "a strong gust of a woman," suggesting Walker's powerful and dynamic presence. The imagery of "raining warm honeysuckle kisses and smiles" evokes a sense of warmth and affection, indicating the positive and uplifting influence she has on those around her.

Sanchez delves into the sensory and spiritual impact of Walker's presence, describing how she "fold[s] myself into her and hear[s] a primordial black song sailing down the guinea coast." This metaphor suggests a deep, ancestral connection and the evocation of a shared cultural heritage. The description of Walker's face as "ordained with lines" implies wisdom and experience, with her face "confess[ing] poems" and "halleluyas" suggesting that her very being is a repository of poetic and spiritual knowledge.

The imagery continues with Walker leaning her "crane like neck on the edge of the world," emphasizing her role as a visionary and a leader. In this "hotel/village/room" filled with women, Walker's presence helps the attendees to become more aware of their own identities and heritage: "our names become known to us." This line suggests a moment of collective awakening and self-recognition, facilitated by Walker's influence.

Sanchez describes an "echo about her" that embodies the history and culture of Black people, celebrating both individual and collective identity. The metaphor of "words ripen[ing] on her mouth like pomegran-ates" emphasizes the richness and fertility of Walker's language. The description of her as a "pecan/color/woman" with "lightning" limbs conveys her distinct and striking presence.

The poem reflects on Walker's formative years in Chicago, alongside literary figures like Richard Wright, transforming "a chicago desert into a well spring of words." This line underscores the transformative power of literature and culture, and the significance of Walker's contributions to the literary world.

Walker is portrayed as an embodiment of wisdom and resilience, with "eyes/dressed like a woman" that "see through riddles" and offer "asylum from ghosts." Her presence transcends time, as she "stands over centuries as she talks," linking past, present, and future. The image of her opening her coat to reveal "a light colored blouse" against "dark breasts" suggests vulnerability and openness, as well as a blending of contrasts that symbolizes depth and complexity.

Her words, "carved from ancestral widows," evoke a deep sense of history and sorrow, while also carrying the weight of cultural memory and resilience. As Walker speaks, she "baptizes" the audience with her words, offering a transformative experience. The poem quotes Walker, invoking a powerful call for renewal, justice, and empowerment: "Let a new earth rise. Let another world be born... Let a people loving freedom come to growth."

The closing lines of the poem reflect Sanchez's personal experience of the event. She describes walking back to her room, replaying the experience in her mind, and feeling the lingering impact of Walker's presence: "scatter myself over evening walls and passageways wet with her footprints." This imagery suggests that the experience has left a profound and indelible mark on her.

In her room, Sanchez reflects on the day's events and the continuing influence of Walker's words, as she "collect[s] papers. breasts. and listen[s] to our mothers hummmmming." This final image evokes a sense of continuity, as the legacy of Walker and other foremothers in the struggle for justice and equality continues to resonate and inspire.

Overall, "Black Feminist Conference Reflections on Margaret Walker: Poet" is a tribute to the power of Margaret Walker's presence, words, and legacy. Sanchez beautifully captures the essence of Walker's influence, both as an individual and as a representative of a broader cultural and historical movement. The poem is a celebration of Black womanhood, resilience, and the transformative power of art and activism.

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