Tayari's Blog: Nikki Giovanni @ Starbucks

Nikki talked about everything from poetry to Pullman Porters to Bill Cosby to Michael Jackson to red birds and yellow jackets. If you have never heard her in person, you must. The best part was the very end of her talk. With no introductory remarks, she recited her famous poem, "Ego Tripping." The showmanship of that moment made it clear that Nikki is a real professional. She has been a public writer for over thirty years and it shows. Since she recited that old favorite with out preamble, it took the audience a second to recognize it. The experience, as a listener, was like seeing an old friend from accross the room. You wanted to say, "Is that you?" And then, such a reward when you realize that you are absolutely right. How do I know that I wasn't the only person loving it? The crowd at Starbucks--black, white, young, old, believers and infidels-- recited the last line right along with her: I can fly.. like a bird in the sky.