August Wilson - 'Poem for my grandfather'

The late August Wilson at the Crawford Grill in Pittsburgh 1991

[@VScriptedVizionairy]

Incredible presence and voice. Amazing combination of words. We need a reincarnation....

[@merryjones883]

I memorized this poem.. I love August Wilson and his life story!

[@margaretmcklem4393]

His chest stripped open to reveal a raven, huge with sharp talons,
a song stuck in his throat and beneath the feathers, beneath the shudder and rage,
the pages of a book closed and the raven took flight. Bynum Cutler.
Savage, mule trainer, singer, shaper of wood and iron.
Bynum Cutler, who spread his seed over the nine counties in North Carolina,
seed carried in the wind, by the wind in the sails of ships
and planted among the cane break, among Georgia pine,
among boles of cotton planted in the fertile fields of women who snapped open like fresh berries,
like cities in full season welcoming its architects and ennobling them with gifts of blood.

[@RaymondMaxwell]

Thanks for the transcription!

[@galileoshift8330]

Thank you for writing it out here
Heart Shattering poetry by August Wilson

[@RaymondMaxwell]

Played with the line breaks to make it a sonnet/elegy.
His chest stripped open to reveal a raven,

huge with sharp talons, a song stuck in his throat

and beneath the feathers, beneath the shudder and rage,

the pages of a book closed and the raven took flight.
Bynum Cutler. Savage, mule trainer, singer,

shaper of wood and iron. Bynum Cutler,

who spread his seed over the nine counties

in North Carolina, seed carried by the wind
in the sails of ships and planted among the cane break,
among Georgia pine, among bales of cotton
planted in the fertile fields of women

who snapped open like fresh berries,
like cities in full season welcoming its architects
and ennobling them with gifts of blood.

[@VScriptedVizionairy]

Please upload more..... Please!!

[@tacsavory]

Amazing talent

[@jnyc8457]

What program was this clip taken from?

[@elcomo24]

MrBurley46,
I am currently working on a project at the University of Pittsburgh on August's poetry. I was wondering how you might have come across this video, or if there is any more?

[@RaymondMaxwell]

Would love to access your study! IS it available?

[@JediLiz]

Is it cut off at the end? It seems like he is interrupted.

[@natashalowery3224]

Where did this come from?