Quotes by Nikki Giovanni

Style has a profound meaning to Black Americans. If we can’t drive, we will invent walks and the world will envy the dexterity of our feet. If we can’t have ham, we will boil chitterlings; if we are given rotten peaches, we will make cobblers; if given scraps, we will make quilts; take away our drums, and we will clap our hands. We prove the human spirit will prevail. We will take what we have to make what we need. We need confidence in our knowledge of who we are.

I appreciate my my sleep In sleep my conversation is witty My home is dusted My office work is up to date The dog is even well behaved And food is on the table on timeBut then when Im asleep I dont have you to clutter and confuseMy hungry heart

His headstone saidFREE AT LAST, FREE AT LASTBut death is a slaves freedomWe seek the freedom of free menAnd the construction of a world Where Martin Luther King could have lived and preached non-violence

You must be unintimidated by your own thoughts because if you write with someone looking over you shoulder, youll never write.

Today I am 65 years old. I still look good. I appreciate and enjoy my age. A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are. Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world youre in and take advantage of it. You still bring to bear all your prior experience, but you are riding on another level. Its completely liberating.

Mistakes are a fact of life: It is the response to the error that counts.

It is not who you attend school with but who controls the school you attend.

I move on feeling and have learned to distrust those who dont.

We love because it is the only true adventure.

The ability to take pride in your own work is one of the hallmarks of sanity.

I really dont think life is about the I-could-have-beens. Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I dont mind the failure but I cant imagine that Id forgive myself if I didnt try.

We love because its the only true adventure.

I am totally fascinated by people and our history as I understand and continue to explore it. People have so much to give and so far to go and yet we have given and gone a great distance. Its really just interesting to ask: why not? And see where that takes me.

If now isnt a good time for the truth I dont see when well get to it.

Poetry and music are very good friends. Like mommies and daddies and strawberries and cream - they go together.

A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are. Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world youre in and take advantage of it.

Everything will change. The only question is growing up or decaying.

“I love you because no two snowflakes are alike, and it is possible, if you stand tippy-toe, to walk between the raindrops.”

“the world is not a pleasant place to be without someone to hold and be held by.”