Esther Popel

I loved Esther Popel's work here in the Beltway Poetry Quarterly journal, in the resurrection issue, volume 14:3, summer 2013. Her poem "April" is beautiful and light--a great combination that few achieve. She can make things clever without being obnoxious or quirky. She has a true lyrical manner.

Popel was one of the famous African-American Harlem Renaissance writers. She lived from 1896-1958.

Here's "April":

April is a wanton
With her cool, slim, searching fingers—
And Day, a giddy gossip,
Sitting, waiting on the stair,
Listens to the murmurings—
While wayward Romance lingers
To revel in the fragrance
Of her hair!


She also has a great piece "Grant me strength" here, which is just lovely--almost an American take on Imagism, looking back to the USA instead of to Greece, and with great effect:

Give me the strength
Of verdant hills
Washed clean by summer rain;

Of purple hills
At peace when weary Day
Sinks quietly to rest
In Night’s cool arms;

Of rugged, wind-whipped hills
That lift their heads
Above the petty, lowland, valley things,
And shake their shoulders free
Of bonds that hold
Them close to earth; [...]