The Has-Been Poet, for Gaston Neal
Dateline: 7/8/97The has-been poet is back --Bob Holman Call it Smokin Griots, or Wordstoc '97, the Gaston Neal Benefit in DC on Sunday was the cultural event of the century's end. . . or at least the moment. Too often our true heroes pass on everything, receive nothing. To Gaston: all poems, from Amiri Baraka, Ntozake Shange, Sonia Sanchez, Sekou Sundiata, The Last Poets, E. Ethelbert Miller, musicians, Jackie McLean, Bobby Parker, Sunny Murray, Keeter Betts, Fred Foss, Nap Turner and more. Here, from our Main Motor Scooter, Kenny Carroll, is a bio of Gaston:
(Kenny is the author of So What! (for the white dude who said this ain't poetry), one of our must-reads.)
The over-the-hill poet suddenly is not only not over it
But king of it queen of it prince and princess kiss the frog
Royalty of it be damned of it shouting lungsful from far atop
Mount Poem where you never been hell you never seen
It so shrouded in the cloudy foggy do-do
Of your own shortsighted need contacts to look in the mirror
Steam face clearing and what do you finally see see see
Samo samo samo samo
That’s you-o,
Somewhere in there-o
Holding on to the scraps of your control panel
Attached to goddamn
Ain’t attached whahappen whahappen
While the usta be poet, why
The usta be poet never went away
And all your workshops and accreditation programs
All your grants and fundraising gala soirees wait till it’s served
Before you touch it goddamn don’t drink it all in the first half-hour
All the be home in time to let the sitter go home
But where is home?
Now you see it’s not that I’m anti-family
I am pro-family
I just think you better redefine what constitutes your own goddamn family
Cause when you say whatever crossed the transom goes before the committee
I say guess who’s coming to dinner? Why, it’s the has-been poet
And guess what? he’s staying over for breakfast too
And guess what else she’s making you your lunch as well because
Guess what, she’s a transgender transgenerational mixed-race motherfucker of a has-been poet
And I’m back cause guess what
I never went away
Where you been, fool?
Poet, community activist, teacher, Gaston has been a force in Washington's cultural and poltical life for four decades. He was a passionate civil rights warrior in the struggles of the 1960's and 70's. His commitment to equality and justice is just as strong now, as he focuses on the myriad of devastating public health issues that beset the District.
A nationally known poet and lecturer, Neal's work is highlighted in several anthologies including Black Fire, edited by Amiri Baraka and Larry Neal (Random House), Black Power Revolt, edited by Martin Bourber (Sargent Press), and Voices of Struggle, (Lighthouse Press). In addition, his work has been published in numerous literary magazines and he reads and lectures extensively at universities and other national forums.
Neal was co-founder of the internationally acclaimed New School of African-American Thought in Washington, DC. The New School (1966-1971) was a major crucible in which the spirit of Black pride, empowerment and community was forged. This break-through community intellectual center firmly established him as leader in the Black Arts development in both Washington, DC and the nation.
As a "cultural field worker" Neal designed and implemented model programs in the arts. He pioneered city-wide programs bringing music to the neighborhoods, which led to the city's Jazz in the Parks summer concerts. He created one of the first poet-in-residence programs for Lorton Prison and the DC Public Schools.
More recently he has produced an innovative jazz and poetry series for the Corcoran Gallery with artists like Quincy Troupe, Amiri Baraka, Haki Madhubuti, Jackie McLean, the late Art Blakey and Sun Ra.
A native of Pittsburgh, Neal is credited by fellow Pittsburg writers such as Rob Penny and prize-winning playwright August Wilson as an influence. As to his own influences, Neal cites Arthur Rimbaud, Langston Hughes, Dylan Thomas, and Jean Toomer.
Gaston Neal is currently working on a collection of his poetry to be published by Third World Press and on his autobiography, Scattered Pieces: A Poet's Life.
Neal is struggling with cancer and the July 13 benefit concert raised money to support a scholarship fund for his two young daughters. For info write Kenny Carroll.
