In Honor of National Poetry Month:The Works of Poet & Artist, Henry L. Jones

Good Morning Friday! I’m blessed to be back on the blog this morning. Please send up an extra prayer for the victims of last night’s Tornado. Today, I have a special treat for all of my readers and new friends who happen to stop by:)

Mr. Henry  L. Jones, a former Chicagoan, is an artist and poet whose works over the years have garnered him much praise and accolades… Please enjoy his artistic offerings in celebration of National Poetry Month.

STRANGERS FOR PRETENDING
Strangers walked by
wearing masks
layered with makeup
no promises
make love to me
don’t look into my eyes
or try to touch me
make the skin warm
and move the heart
let me pretend
to be alive real
the fears
of my childhood
lost in stolen innocence
who understands the shame
of the hidden child who hides under the stairs
and looks at
who walks by
keeping quiet
as people pass
laughter fell
from their lips
dripping greed
to cannibalize
their flesh
mouths eat
and bite
till the pain
becomes pleasure
dry lips become wet with desire
but nothing seems
to fill their emptiness
souls so vacant
but many residents.

Henry L. Jones
(From Run into Blackness: Feeling My Poetic Gumbo, Pneuma Publishing International, Inc.)

                                                                        

                                                             

 

Henry L. Jones is an award-winning artist and writer who struggles. From those struggles, he discovered a healing power from his ability to create artwork. His art delves into the forces, which shape things whether social causes, spiritual transformation or community affairs. Jones uses the journey of art to find answers about the causes of social issues, such as poverty, violence, injustice, history and other plights. He wants to understand why events happened in the past and how they’ll impact our future.

In many of his artworks, he blends experiences and images with references to his Black heritage (both Diasporic and mainland African cultural links). Then, he’s able to tap into the forces using his art technique which he coined “gibbing” to visually portray interacting forces, provocative images and colorful patterns. Gibbing is a way of painting, which enables him to take in experiences and then unleash them as an artistic expression. It is his core creativity. This involves applying paint with his hands instead of brushes to translate the messages.

Jones is a contemporary Griot seeking ears and eyes to hear and see his stories of redemption, hope and healing in his artwork. He’s an award-winning artist who’s received awards, juried exhibit invitations and grants. His art has hung in museums, galleries, universities and cultural centers. Jones is a Fisk University alumnus and a native Detroit-er and transplant from Chicago.