entertainment

‘Chicago 1949 Summertime’

You know what they say, don’t go down there, no, no, no,

Don’t you go down there boy,

There is sho’ to be trou- ble brewing down there .... It only makes my heart beat faster at anticipation of being there

I push aside the warnings and turn with the arrogance of a

young fool

I set my mind and push aside all of the warnings, I head down there…..

I pass people on stoops listening to jazz and girls dancing on the sidewalks, people call out to me, “Hey, where you going?”

I respond and hear the warnings of those who ven- tured before me of their perils

“Don’t go downthere boy,” as I cross the streets swol- len with cars and people, I take in the smell, the lights, the painted women and the dangerous looking men who make up down there.

Suits of stripes and loud

colors, dresses surely not welcome in my mama’s church, flowers in their hair, make-up on their faces and the strong smell of liquor on their breaths

I turn in circles taking in all the neon lights and big buildings, the sounds leak- ing from the bars like es- caped captives, the sirens and the voices

As I turn I bump into a man, his eyes meet mine

Arvis L. Perry

and he gives me a glare I had never received from a man of myself

as I stumble to move on, a chill

from the night air runs up my bones,

A chill from the sidewalk runs up my knees, through my loins, engulfing my face like someone has put a cold wet glove to my mouth.

I turn and head back to my home, my block, to the people i know,

to safety…..

I walk faster and faster, and it seems i am getting no closer, till I see the girls, still dancing in the street, I sit on the stoop with the others and take in a breath with the music, for now, this is enough….and it will be quite awhile before iI venture “down there.”

© 2010 Arvis L. Perry

May is National Older Americans Month

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Poetic Reflections

‘Generations’

Do you see my hands?

These hands that worked the field

Do you see the lines in my face?

Each line tells a story of joy and pain

Come closer child and sit near me I want to tell you about life

Do you see these arms that held my children?

It wasn’t always easy, I cried and I prayed Mostly I just kept on climbing

This back of mine is no longer strong

It has been almost broken from toting sacks

And carrying the weight of the world

Atlas ain’t got nothing on this ol’ body

Look into my eyes child, these eyes have

Seen too much wrongdoing and horror

I watched men and women lynched

I seen good men be born and die too soon

I watched the joy of a newborn, and watched

President Obama, a man of color take the oath

Life is precious, child, don’t you forget that now

I may look a sight with my gray hair and wrinkled skin

These sullen eyes and crooked eyes

But child, I feel beautiful for I am blessed

Just keep going, child, just keep going

I am going to rest now, and don’t fret for me

I have lived, I have loved and been loved

The world might change, but, life stays the same

© 2010 Arvis Perry

‘The Broke Blues’

Why is it, when the politician on CNN says we

I get the feeling he’s not talk- ing about me

The NASDAQ is up and the DOW is down

Does anyone notice I’m drag- ging the ground?

When even the mightiest nation can go through infla- tion

Who cares about my trials and tribulations?

I pay my tithes and search the classifieds

Times seem so hard; hell…I should get paid for just look- ing for a job

“Stay in school, don’t be a fool” is what they all used to tell me

I sometimes feel better off dead

When I don’t have anything for my kids but jelly and bread

And everyone I meet has a new

scheme to sell me Get rich quick, hit a lick

Informercials running through my brain

Real estate and pyramid pay- offs

While the Big Three just an- nounced more layoffs

Unemployment insurance is damn near gone

Can’t even afford a cellular phone, and to get this new job I need a computer

If my car breaks down one more time, I swear I am gonna pull over and shoot her

My son’s tuition went up be- cause he isn’t a resident

Black folks will cuss you if you try blaming the President

If something doesn’t give, I might have to start taking

My luck is gonna change, it’s just in the making

© 2010 Arvis Perry

April 28-May 4, 2010

Page D-3

Jazz artist Marion Meadows to perform during Freedom Weekend

The Freedom Institute,

through its 9th Annual Free- dom Weekend, has partnered with Hi-Line Gallery and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on its Inaugural Vision Awards Dinner, Concert and After- glow.

The event, that will feature

jazz extraordinaire Marion Meadows, a tenor saxophon- ist, soprano saxophonist, composer and smooth jazz re- cording artist of Native Ameri- can, African American and Caucasian descent, is sched- uled for Saturday, May 1, at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, t 315 E. Warren Ave.

Two performances are

scheduled, the first, the 6 p.m. dinner, Vision Awards presen- tation with 8:30 p.m. concert; the second, 10 p.m. concert. Heaster Wheeler, executive di- rector, Detroit Branch NAACP, will serve as the guest speak- er. An afterglow will be held at the museum at the conclu- sion of each concert and will feature a deejay and dancing.

The “Builders of the Vision”

Awards will be presented to The SDG Associates, LLC, Howard Sims, founder; Harold Varner, architect and con- tributor to the design of the museum; Jim Jenkins, Jen- kins Construction, Inc.; Judge Craig Strong, 36th District Court; Carol Goss, president and CEO, The Skillman Foun- dation; and Curtis L. Ivery, chancellor, Wayne County Community College District — all for their commitment to the museum’s vision: “To be recognized as the institution of choice for exploring and presenting African American history and culture.”

“This event provides an ex-

cellent platform to support the arts and pause to recognize, reflect and celebrate our cul- ture,” stated Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, founder of the Free- dom Institute.

The unveiling of an origi- nal art work, “I Am Apart

Marion Meadows

of History,” created by Ad- eobye. Prints will be sold at the museum and Freedom Weekend at Cobo Conference Center; proceeds will benefit the museum.

As part of this promotional

series, individuals and corpo- rations may adopt a Detroit public school, create a “Pride Wall,” depicting photographs of the students, and support the museum’s student mem- bership drive.

“We commissioned Ad-

eobye to draw two beautiful pieces, one with men and the other with women, focusing on leaders who have made signifi- cant contributions to the his- tory of African Americans. We want our youth to recognize these leaders and learn about their histories,” stated Juani- ta Moore, president and CEO, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

“Choosing to partner with

us on this project supports our desire to provide learning opportunities and programs for youth,”

Tickets begin at $35 and

may be purchased online at

www.charleshwright.org or

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