Audience with a Poet

Written December 13, 1976
For Robert E. Hayden, Ph.D.

I had heard he was
a poet. As I watched
him, well formed, refined;
as he captured the stage:
Soon I was hexed, fixed,
amazed by this man-
this poet. His mode
wise, easy and light.
He caused me to stop
and to think a bit.
He spoke such with
striking wit...
In tidings often
dapper and bold
people, places, things
and time are imbibed!
Visions, Orion, the Cape,
Aunt Jemima;
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz:
(Today, by this man-
this poet.)