Several summers ago, while at St. John's University in Minnesota, I came across a book that had matched a poem by Ntozake Shange with paintings by American artist Romare Bearden (1912-88).
The poem began with its title line, "i live in music," and ended with the line, "hold yourself in a music." The paintings perfectly corresponded to Shange's 25-line tribute to the language of music, each line partnered with one or two artworks.
In thought and vision the poetry is original; in feeling, unforgettable. Matched with the paintings, its spirit permeates the ear easily, and my heart fairly dances to the rhythm flowing through such lyrics as: