The Divine Ms. Nikki G

Once again, the Divine Ms. Nikki Giovanni has proven that she knows how to woo a crowd! She's been doing it for nearly 40 years with her poetry and other writings but on Tuesday, she showed her true compassion in such a way that turned a completely sad moment in time into a time of jublilation.

Her Hokie Pride speech brought tears to my eyes because I know how much love she has for Virginia Tech. I also know how much she is personally hurting because of her genuine care and concern for each and every student there. Just a few months ago, I had the privilege of interviewing her about going back to teach. It was inspiring to hear this internationally renowned poet and author express her desire to create a new generation of talented writers---which I have no doubt she is doing.

I became a fan of Nikki G years ago when she burst onto the poetry scene. I became an even bigger fan when she reviewed and endorsed my book, "Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age." Today, I hold her in the highest esteem for who she truly is on the inside.

Here is her speech:

“We are Virginia Tech. We are sad today and we will be sad for quite awhile. WE are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning. We are Virginia Tech. We are strong enough to know when to cry and sad enough to know we must laugh again. We are Virginia Tech. We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did not deserve it but neither does a child in Africa dying of AIDS, but neither do the invisible children walking the night to avoid being captured by a rogue army. Neither does the baby elephant watching his community be devastated for ivory; neither does the Appalachian infant in the middle of the night in his crib in the home his father built with his own hands being run over by a boulder because the land was destabilized. No one deserves a tragedy. We are Virginia Tech. The Hokier Nation embraces our own with open heart and hands to those who offer their hearts and minds. We are strong and brave and innocent and unafraid. We are better than we think, not quite what we want to be. We are alive to the imagination and the possibility we will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears, through all this sadness. We are the Hokies. We will prevail, we will prevail. We are Virginia Tech. "