Analyzing Giavonni's Poems 'Is Poverty Really Poor?'

Maliyah Davis

10/21/15

ENC 1102

Zachary Showers

Is Poverty Really Poor?

Contentment is the only real wealth. Happiness is closely related to the love of family and friends. This concept is precisely proven in the poems Nikki-Rosa by Nikki Giavonni and Mother to Son by Langston Hughes. Both of these poems possess similar topics, such as living in poverty as an African American. Although the themes of these poems corresponds with one another, their ideas are expressed differently by point of view and voice recognition. The theme of these poems are determination within black families. However, Mother to Son has a more effective way of relaying this point because it has a realistic approach.

Nikki-Rosa is a poem that describes Giavonni’s personal experiences

Nikki Giavonni is one of the most familiar African American poets. Her work is mostly influenced by the civil rights movement and other black power campaigns. Just like Nikki Giavonnni, Langston Hughes was also a famous African American poet. He was known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. Both of these poets enjoy writing about the black community, real-life experiences in particular. In both Nikki-Rosa and Mother to Son there is a black family who lives in poverty. In sight is given as to how life can get hard living as an African American. These poems are very descriptive, vividly explaining common household objects and the harsh living conditions of their homes. For instance, in Nikki-Rosa she recalls living in Woodlawn “with no inside toilets”. Or in Mother to Son, the mother described the house as bare; “with no carpet on the floor”. These descriptions helps the reader realize that the families are in fact, living in poverty with a deficiency of money. Notwithstanding the lack of money, these poems give off a sense of contentment. Giavonni says that “though you’re poor it isn’t poverty that concerns