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The line stretched along the sidewalk outside of the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro as people waited anxiously to catch a glimpse of the distinguished guest of honor, Nikki Giovanni.

Poetry GSO's main event and guest speaker for National Poetry Month brought people out in droves April 27. Born Yolande Cornelia Nikki Giovanni in 1943, her life has spanned decades, and her books and CDs the world. Her words have been burned into history.

When Giovanni arrived at the theater, she decided to meet and greet the people outside waiting in line. Open-hearted and open-minded, she was down-to-earth and approachable. Before she took the stage at the Carolina Theatre, spoken-word artist Clement Mallory, flanked by local city youths dressed in red, black and green, danced to a poetic rhythm of chanting, "Poetry, poetry, poetry."

The Bennett Belles of Bennett College and The Poetic Insurgents of N.C. A&T also performed a tribute to Giovanni to help set the stage.

Giovanni entered to a packed theater, standing room only. We all waited in anticipation to hear her words. She told her story in her words in her time and in her way. Her language was ever so colorful, with the occasional exclamation point to drive her point home. She never once apologized for her bold statements and style as she went on to say, "If America's going to have a savior, it's going to be a colored person." She told us of her native Tennessee and the passing of her mother and sister. Of her meeting Rosa Parks in the airport during a layover and of an ever-changing world and her attempt to write it the way she sees it.

Giovanni brought joy and peace with her and laughter and understanding with her vision and energy.

For a moment, however brief, we were allowed to bask in it. As she recited her poem "Ego Tripping," I watched as people's lips moved in unison with hers. The piece seemed timeless as young and old recited the first few lines with ease. "I was born in the Congo," she began. It was amazing. Her presence and the sound of her voice bounced and reflected off everyone. It made me close my eyes and imagine being born in the jungle of Africa. She continued, "I gazed on the forest and burned out the Sahara Desert." I smiled and nodded my head as I saw the power and reach of her words. Again, I closed my eyes and imagined a forest being burned to ash and sand, not by an actual fire but by the sound of Giovanni's words; the power of her words turned the forest into a desert. The poem ended with "I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal, I cannot be comprehended except by my permission, I mean… I… can fly like a bird in the sky…"

Afterward, she signed autographs for hours until the theater was empty and the last book had been signed and the last picture had been taken. She never hesitated. I watched in awe, soaking up every moment. Taking notes of how a true poet presents and humbles herself.

Josephus Thompson is a poet, activist and educator in the Triad. His column runs once a month. Contact him at Josephus@mentalityenterprises.com.

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