15+ Impactful Poems about Black Lives Matter

‘A Small Needful Fact’ by Ross Gay is a powerful poem that presents an image of hope and beauty after a loss. The poem addresses the legacy of Eric Garner and how one might still find his presence in the world.

The poem highlights Eric Garner, a black man who was killed by police brutality. It emphasizes the value of his life and his contribution to society, reinforcing the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement. The poem is incredibly moving and direct.

Is that Eric Garner worked

for some time for the Parks and Rec.

Horticultural Department, which means,

perhaps, that with his very large hands,

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Who Said It Was Simple

by Audre Lorde

‘Who Said It Was Simple’ by Audre Lorde is a powerful poem about the inequalities in various civil rights movements during the poet’s lifetime.

The poem addresses the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement by recognizing the roots of anger and frustration that Black individuals experience due to racism and systemic oppression. The poem acknowledges the historical roots of racism and oppression that have impacted Black individuals and their communities. This recognition emphasizes the need for understanding and acknowledging history to address these issues.

There are so many roots to the tree of anger

that sometimes the branches shatter

before they bear.

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C.R.E.A.M.

by Danez Smith

’C.R.E.A.M.’ by Danez Smith is a complex, moving poem that depicts a speaker’s personal life and speaks on the American racial wealth gap.

This poem offers a poignant and personal perspective on the ways in which systemic racism affects black lives, particularly in relation to economic inequality and the criminal justice system. The poem is unique in its structure, asking readers to consider these important subjects in a new way.

after Morgan Parker, after Wu-Tang

in the morning I think about money

green horned lord of my waking

forest in which I stumbled toward no salvation

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Primer for Blacks

by Gwendolyn Brooks

‘Primer For Blacks’ by Gwendolyn Brooks speaks on the necessity of accepting one’s black heritage and a possible unified future for all black people.

The poem speaks to the value of Black lives and the importance of standing up against oppression and violence toward Black people. It highlights the struggles and experiences of black people, emphasizing the need for their lives to matter in society.

Blackness

is a title,

is a preoccupation,

is a commitment Blacks

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Rosa Parks

by Nikki Giovanni

‘Rosa Parks’ by Nikki Giovanni is a poem about activism and the importance of remembering important moments in African American history. The poem pays tribute to the heroic actions of the Pullman Porters who spearheaded the civil rights movement and forever changed history for the African American community.

The poem highlights the significance of Black lives and how they have been suppressed for centuries. It shows how the Pullman Porters and Mrs. Rosa Parks took the stand for equal rights for Blacks, which became a moment of change and hope for the Black community.

This is for the Pullman Porters who organized when people said

they couldn’t. And carried the Pittsburgh Courier and the Chicago

Defender to the Black Americans in the South so they would

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Still I Rise

by Maya Angelou

‘Still I Rise’ is an inspiring and emotional poem that’s based around Maya Angelou’s experiences as a Black woman in America. It encourages readers to love themselves fully and persevere in the face of every hardship.

This poem highlights the struggles and oppression that black people face and the determination to rise above it all. It can serve as a powerful anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement.

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

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won’t you celebrate with me

by Lucille Clifton

‘won’t you celebrate with me’ by Lucille Clifton addresses racism and inherent gender inequality. The speaker has overcome every hurdle and modeled herself in her own image.

While the poem doesn't explicitly reference the Black Lives Matter movement, it can be seen as a celebration of black life and resilience in the face of oppression and attempts to "kill" the speaker. It is a reminder of the value and importance of black lives, even when society may try to diminish or devalue them.

won't you celebrate with me

what i have shaped into

a kind of life? i had no model.

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Praise Song for the Day

by Elizabeth Alexander

Elizabeth Alexander read the poem, ‘Praise Song for the Day’ at the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009. It is an occasional poem praising the Americans’ role in nation-building.

Although the phrase "Black Lives Matter" is not explicitly mentioned in the poem, the poem does speak to the experiences of Black people and their contributions to American society, as well as the struggles they have faced.

Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each other’s eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.

#10

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We Should Make a Documentary About Spades

by Terrance Hayes

‘We Should Make a Documentary About Spades’ is written by contemporary American poet Terrance Hayes. This imaginary piece explores the theme of racism and implicitly comments on the history of Spades.

The poem does not explicitly mention the Black Lives Matter movement. However, it touches on the experiences of black people, such as their history and the derogatory word spade. The mention of "sun people" also highlights the poem's focus on black people.

And here is all we’ll need: a card deck, quartets of sun people

Of the sort found in black college dormitories, some vintage

Music, indiscriminate spirits, fried chicken, some paper,

#11

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Poem About My Rights

by June Jordan

‘Poem About My Rights’ by June Jordan is a one-stanza poem revealing a speaker’s thoughts on misogyny, sexism, and racism from their experience. It is celebrated for accurately portraying the struggles of women and men of color in a patriarchial and predominantly white society.

Though the poem shares themes from the protest, "Black Lives Matter", this protest includes themes like police brutality. Police brutality is not explicitly mentioned in 'Poem About My Rights,' which moves from the theme of misogyny to racism. Both, however, focus on the struggles of African Americans and so are loosely related.

Even tonight and I need to take a walk and clear

my head about this poem about why I can’t

go out without changing my clothes my shoes

my body posture my gender identity my age

#12

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Riot

by Gwendolyn Brooks

‘Riot’ by Gwendolyn Brooks is a poem that illustrates the dissonance that exists between the privileged and those who are driven to desperation to riot.

Brooks' poem remains relevant because of the Black Lives Matter movement. But it is also a resounding reminder of the way riots are still characterized as the tantrums of ungrateful children when in reality, they are the final outcry of an oppressed group of people. Racism and privilege are what drive the necessity of riots. This poem is a potent chastisement of those who would argue otherwise.

John Cabot, out of Wilma, once a Wycliffe,

all whitebluerose below his golden hair,

wrapped richly in right linen and right wool,

almost forgot his Jaguar and Lake Bluff;

#13

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The Tradition

by Jericho Brown

‘The Tradition’ is the titular poem from Pulitzer Prize winner Jericho Brown’s poetry collection. It brings to light the maltreatment of African Americans in the present US, while relating it to the past.

'The Tradition' addresses "Black Lives Matter" by unearthing the weight of systemic violence against Black communities. Jericho Brown uses the beauty of nature and everyday imagery to contrast with the loss of Black lives, highlighting their value and irreplaceability. The poem’s quiet grief and defiance challenge readers to recognize injustice and affirm the sanctity of Black existence.

Aster. Nasturtium. Delphinium. We thought

Fingers in dirt meant it was our dirt, learning

Names in heat, in elements classical

Philosophers said could change us. Star Gazer.

#14

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Thirteen

by Caleb Femi

‘Thirteen’ by Caleb Femi is an incredibly powerful poem that uses second-person perspective to help readers better understand the experiences of a thirteen-year-old boy accused of a crime he didn’t commit.

This poem is a fantastic example of a poem written with the Black Lives Matter movement in mind. It focuses on the perspective of a young boy who, through context clues and the poet's other writings, readers can assume is Black or another minority.

You will be four minutes from home

when you are cornered by an officer

who will tell you of a robbery, forty

minutes ago in the area. You fit

#15

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Knock Knock

by Daniel Beaty

‘Knock Knock’ by Daniel Beaty is a heartfelt poem exploring themes of loss and hope through the powerful narrative of a father-son relationship.

'Knock Knock' resonates with the Black Lives Matter movement by addressing the systemic issues of racism that disproportionately affect the African American community. The father's call for his son to "knock down doors of racism and poverty" stresses on the ongoing struggle for equality and justice by the community. The poem emphasizes the importance of hope and empowerment within the black community, reflecting the core values of Black Lives Matter in advocating for social change and the recognition of black lives and potential.

As a boy I shared a game with my father.

Played it every morning ‘til I was 3.

He would knock knock on my door, and I’d pretend to be asleep ‘til he got right next to the bed,

Then I would get up and jump into his arms.

15+ Impactful Poems about Black Lives Matter

(15 to start, 40+ to explore)

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15+ Impactful Poems about Black Lives Matter

(15 to start, 40+ to explore)

by Sonia Sanchez

by Ross Gay

by Audre Lorde

by Danez Smith

by Gwendolyn Brooks

by Nikki Giovanni

by Maya Angelou

by Lucille Clifton

by Elizabeth Alexander

by Terrance Hayes

by June Jordan

by Gwendolyn Brooks

by Jericho Brown

by Caleb Femi

by Daniel Beaty

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