I'm Going Down to Jackson

November 1-4 for the 50th anniversary reconvening of the Phillis Wheatley Poetry Festival at Jackson State University. A poetic offering for the occasion:

I’m going down to Jackson 
this winter for the word 

I’m going down to Jackson 
reverse of my granny’s migration 

I’m going down to Jackson 
ain’t been through the Delta 
since big sister’s graduation 

I’m going down to Jackson
where the Black poet women be 

I’m going down to Jackson 
cause Dr. Walker invited me 

I’m going down to Jackson 
to find Wheatley’s descendants 

I’m going down to Jackson 
to see Southern land remnants 

I’m going down to Jackson 
to measure how wide that river stretch 

I’m going down to Jackson 
to place secret slam bets 

I’m going down to Jackson 
for the sweet Black writing life 

I’m going down to Jackson 
to join the chorus of the night

I’m going down to Jackson 
Blackest city any side the Mississippi

I’m going down to Jackson 
celebrating Black life and legacy

I’m going down to Jackson 
where whites still out for niggas 

I’m going down to Jackson
cause the police force getting bigger 

I’m going down to Jackson 
cause cable news aint tell it right 

I’m going down to Jackson 
to fight the good fight 

I’m going down to Jackson 
to stand behind a mic 

I’m going down to Jackson 
to meet June, Giovanni, and Alice 

I’m going down to Jackson 
with the protection of the palace 

I’m going down to Jackson 
cause that’s where Phillis be 

I’m going down to Jackson
in her memory - sister-poets

I’m going down to Jackson 
to say, no justice, no peace! 

I’m going down to Jackson 
on the spirit of poetry 

I’m going down to Jackson 
won’t you join me? 

I’m going down to Jackson 
Lord, please be my company.