Valley of Life | Online Memorial Blog

Despite any negative impressions you may have of the African-American rapper, Tupac Shakur (2Pac) was a poet in his own right. Whether his lyrics were put to music or not, it is clear that Shakur was an artist at his core — a fact that is prominent in all his work. Below, Shakur is said to have penned this poem concerning the prison death of Huey P. Newton, however, the poem’s lyrics can extend far beyond one person alone. Shakur equates the life of an individual to a fallen star, one whose light had potential to brilliantly guide others but was extinguished out of ignorance and hate. It is a perfect tribute to one whose rising and shining life was cut short unjustly. (more…)

The following poem by Dickinson attempts to explore the emotions those of us feel who have lost a loved one. Dickinson likens feelings of bereavement to that of homesickness, as if to say the departed are like a home which we are far away from and cannot get to. Her observations, I think, are well-reasoned. Furthermore, she elaborates on her homesick metaphor in the second stanza by characterizing how we, “who behind”, continue to grieve — by going to the former “Places” of our loved ones’ lives. Sadly, Dickinson’s final words of this poem couldn’t be more true as she poetically states we can only continue searching and visiting those places, for those we lost we can never truly find again in this life. (more…)

Dickinson writes with timeless insight in her poem, “All But Death Can Be Adjusted”, below. Though only two stanzas in length, she poetically captures the unpredictability of life and the finality of death. Dickinson concludes her poem emphatically with her perspective on death — essentially, once you’re gone, you’re gone – but I think it’s her view of life that is most poignant. Basically, Dickinson tells us that life goes on, and there is power to change, to heal, and to exceed. Similarly, we must also navigate life’s unfortunate realities of stagnation, pain, and failure. (more…)

Today, in honor of Black History month, Valley of Life is highlighting African-American poet James Weldon Johnson (1817-1939). Born in Florida, Johnson attended Atlanta University with the intention that his education would further the interests of the black people. As a result, Johnson composed a number of influential pieces during his lifetime. In 1900, he wrote a song for Lincoln’s birthday that eventually became known as the “Negro National Anthem.” In 1920, he became the national organizer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Below, Johnson composed a poetic funeral sermon: (more…)

To celebrate Black History month, Valley of Life is featuring poetry composed by the black community in America. An earlier poet, Langston Hughes (1902-1967), was well-known for his literary works during a period called the “Harlem Renaissance.” Below, Hughes offers his thoughts on the ability to honor one’s death through a poem he composed about a funeral in Harlem.

(more…)