Poetry page
Featuring Madison's Poet Laureate, Fabu
Madison names new Poet Laureate

MADISON –  Mayor Dave Cieslewicz recently announced that Fabu Carter-Brisco (professionally known as Fabu) has agreed to serve as Madison’s Poet
Laureate. She is the third person to hold the volunteer position. Fabu will receive a Mayoral Proclamation declaring her to be the Poet Laureate prior to
her official start date, January 21, 2008.
    “Fabu was chosen for this honorary position in recognition of her years as a major figure in Madison’s literary arts movement,” said Mayor Dave
Cieslewicz. “She has inspired great interest in poetry, reading and writing in Madison in especially among the women’s community, school-aged children
and communities of color.”
    Professor Daniel Kunene wrote in his letter of recommendation, “Fabu is a gifted writer, especially of poetry, and she uses this skill very effectively to
promote her social activism as she serves children in disadvantaged communities. She engages young minds with her poetry, encouraging them to get
involved by writing their own poems and/or stories. In that way she helps them to come to grips with their difficult situations.” He also wrote, “Fabu...is a
kind, gentle person, with a sense of humor and a beautiful smile.  Her personality inspires confidence and a sense of security. At the same time she
commands respect and authority through the sheer dignity of her presence. All of which shows her to be a person with leadership qualities.”
    Madison's first Poet Laureate, John Tuschen, was appointed in 1977 by then Mayor Paul Soglin and remained Poet Laureate for over 20 years. Fabu
succeeds Madison’s second Poet Laureate, Andrea Musher, who is retiring after six years of dedicated service to our community. Former Mayor Susan
Bauman originally appointed Musher in 2001.
    Fabu’s appointment follows last night’s Common Council decision to formalize Madison’s long-standing Poet Laureate position and to add the Poet
Laureate Program to the Madison Arts Commission. The decision to formalize the position under the Madison Arts Commission is intended to create
greater visibility for the Poet Laureate, poetry, and literary arts in general.
    Previous Poet Laureates were appointed at the discretion of the Mayor, similar to commission appointments. Now, the Madison Arts Commission and
the new Poet Laureate will work in the coming months to establish policies and a selection process for subsequent Poet Laureates.
    On Sunday, Jan. 20, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., there will be a reception and poetry reading celebrating Fabu's inauguration at the Madison Central
Library, 201 West Mifflin Street. Fabu will read, as will other notable area bards, including outgoing Poet Laureate, Andrea Musher. The reception is free
and open to the public. All are welcome to come and share in honoring Fabu as Madison's new Poet Laureate.

I Am A Man:  Mr. Eugene Clemons
by Fabu

we come from Mississippi to Memphis
seekin more life
better schools, money to enjoy
leavin “nigga” and sharecroppin behind.

at first a city job was real good
best was the city benefits
what i care i’m a garbage man
been cleanin after white folks a long time.

trotted eight hours behind a truck
white man at the wheel
better than a mule’s backside
and the chokin dust from dry fields.

city money didn’t stop growin shame
bile in my throat bein called a boy
I AM A MAN in 1968
i want to drive that garbage truck too.

we call on Dr. King for help
with the stalled sanitation strike
he answered, we marched,
were beaten then he was murdered.

Lawd have mercy
the price was high
for poor, black, mistreated trash men
to have the equal right to drive a garbage truck.
A note from the poet:
    I met Mr. Eugene Clemons
went he was a striking garbage
man in The Sanitation Strike  of
1968. I was a little girl when my
Mom took us to his home to hear
first-hand what was happening
with the strike. I remember his
eloquence and passion as he
talked about their horrible woring
conditions and how proud it felt to
stand up for himself with other
Black men. I also remember Mr.
Clemons crying when Dr. King
was assassinated. The City of
Memphis ended the strike and
workers won equal rights but no
one wanted the strike to cost Dr.
King his life.  As a little girl in
Memphis, I watched history unfold.