Hopeful Poems by Naomi Shihab Nye
"Gate A4," "Separation Wall," & "Famous"
“There are many separations and way too many walls between us,” says the San Antonio poet Naomi Shihab Nye before reading her poem “Separation Wall” in the video linked below. “What do we do?”
This post features three of Nye’s poems. “Separation Wall” states the problem. “Gate A-4” offers an abundant and affirming solution. While that exact scene may not happen again exactly the same way, we can listen to the choices Nye’s persona makes at the beginning of the poem. When invited to give a little, would we do what Nye’s persona does?
“Famous” is not about social divisions exactly, but it reminds us where to put our attention and where not to put it. When attention is in the right place, things like the incident at Gate A-4 might happen. Maybe?
Born in St. Louis, Nye is a professor of creative writing at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.
“Separation Wall,” read aloud by the poet
“Gate A-4” - When life invites, accept. *
“Famous” - Is ambition getting you down? Frustration with unrealistic expectations? Are you maybe just a little overwhelmed? Naomi Shihab Nye can help with that.
* “Gate A-4” is also linked in last week’s Poetry Unbound newsletter from Pádraig Ó Tuama, found here. Writes Pádraig Ó Tuama: “To human encounter, and to small things that sustain.”
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