john thompson

Comparing someone to a blacksmith, suggesting a skillful and adept individual.

Referencing the New Zealand national rugby team, known as the "All Blacks."

Stating that the All Blacks are not fundamentally different from other things.

Asserting that everything shares a common essence or nature.

Referring to a person who proudly displays their black identity.

Emphasizing someone who carries their blackness with confidence and pride.

Describing the blackness being worn over the shoulder like a towel.

Continuing the metaphor of blackness as an accessory, similar to a towel.

Depicting an individual with a raised fist, symbolizing resistance or strength.

Mentioning individuals (Essence Michael, Graham, Patrick) associated with the raised fist gesture.

Referring to figures (Ahmad Jamal, Jonah Lomu) and their influence on the expression of black identity.

back the cold frenzy

up front like ahmad

Describing the movement and style influenced by various individuals (Tony Smith, Dmitri Chandler) and locations.

edge and curve of black

block move like tony

smith (saginaw, michigan)

Connecting the black identity with love, loss, and personal experiences, referencing specific individuals (Gene Smith, Kyle Macy, Renee Gladman).

played with love like

gene smith like fierce

mourning open to some

one's loss and someone's

gift and all up in smith's

chest (whose name is a

locked set of jonahs

Mentioning locked sets of identities and associations, involving Jonahs, Eakins' contact sheet, and Kyle Macy.

sheet like renee gladman

said) like smith was kyle

macy like he was the

Introducing new elements and movements (SNCC barrelhouse, fire soft), expanding the cultural and historical references.

barrelhouse played fire

Evoking musical references and instruments (Sonny Murray, Moses, Johnny Cash, Sonny Boy Williamson, Trane), emphasizing cultural connections.

moses blown inside and

down the black hand

side of the left hand

sideline. like a gem

hadar tufted booblehead

in a johnny cash black

and off-black onesie and

all black derby like sonny

boy williamson in helena

smuggling harp like trane

Continuing with references to iconic figures (Sonny on the bridge, Michael Graham) and the passage of time.

like black night falling

like michael graham

on sonny's time

Mentioning specific individuals (Peck Curtis, Little Brother Montgomery) and their contributions to the black cultural landscape.

little brother montgomery

black-blocking art chords

Describing the artistic process with references to color, lines, and movement.

blocks of new color like

tony smith singing

broken lines then sleek

burning flying breaking

Depicting artistic expressions in exile, drawing parallels to historical figures (Piet Mondrian, Fred Oakley).

piet mondrian at fred

Highlighting physical attributes like keen-toed fists and black-ribbed dress socks, emphasizing a specific aesthetic.

angled one high fist and

Describing visual elements like blocks, diamonds, and bright half-diamonds in relation to specific individuals (Tommie Smith).

curling straight out the

blocks in bright half-

Continuing visual descriptions and references to high blacksmith hands, connecting to specific individuals (John Thompson, Nora Nicolini).

smith like john thompson's

high blacksmith hands

Concluding with a reference to Nora Nicolini, potentially as a symbol or representation.