Pining After Summer

A poem for the dead of winter

collage art by me

The only color 
of earth I see
is evergreen 
and I’m pining after summer 

That warm and playful 
long lost lover 

Fiery, yes
but I’d rather be smitten by  
heat and smolder  
than endure 
the Aquarius cold shoulder 

It’s Black History Month! If you want to know more about one of America’s greatest scientists, humanitarians, and sustainability champions, read George Washington Carver: An American Biography (80th Anniversary Edition) by Rackham Holt. Also, check out these great articles available on the Greenwoman Substack and an e-book about Carver on Amazon:

An 80-Year-Old Gets a Make-Over: Updating a Book Cover

George Washington Carver at (in) MaryJane’s Farm!

Celebrating Juneteenth by Bringing an American Classic Back to Readers

A Famous Black Man Mentors a Young Southern White Man in . . . the 1930's Jim Crow South?

Thanks to Katrina Blair and George Washington Carver, I'm Eating Weeds

Greenwoman’s e-book on Carver’s life by Cheri Colburn: George Washington Carver: Grandfather of Sustainability is an excellent shorter read.

Did you know that...

• George Washington Carver was born a slave?

• Carver was the first Black student and the first Black faculty member at Iowa State University?

• Carver was the first Black American to earn a masters degree in agriculture?

• Carver had his paintings exhibited at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair as a college student?

• Albert Einstein once called him second among the 10 greatest living scientists of their time?

• Henry Ford said Carver was America's greatest living scientist?

• Mahatma Gandhi sought his advice on nutrition?

• Carver created a successful treatment for muscle atrophy during the polio epidemic?

• Carver was the first American who was not a president and the first Black American to have a National Monument established at his birthplace?

One of the most amazing stories in American history is waiting for you.