Nikki+Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni: Victoria Bennett 

Nikki Giovanni was born in Knoxville, Tennessee in June of 1943. She grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, she and her sister returned to Knoxville each summer to visit their grandparents. Nikki graduated with honors in history from her grandfather's alma mater, Fisk University. Since 1987, she has been on the faculty at Virginia Tech, where she is a University Distinguished Professor.

**Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day**
Don't look now I'm fading away Into the gray of my mornings Or the blues of every night Is it that my nails keep breaking Or maybe the corn on my secind little piggy

Things keep popping out on my faceorof my life It seems no matter how I try I become more difficult to hold I am not an easy woman to want They have asked the psychiatrists. . . psychologists. . . politicians and social workers What this decade will be known for There is no doubt. . . it is loneliness

**I'm Not Lonely**
I'm not lonely sleeping all alone you think i'm scared but i'm a big girl i don't cry or anything

I have a great big bed to roll around in and lots of space and i don't dream bad dreams like i used to have that you were leaving me anymore

Now that you're gone i don't dream and no matter what you think i'm not lonely sleeping all alone