National Poetry Month's Feature: Poet Henry Westray, Jr.

Poet’s Bio: Henry Westray, Jr. can be called the quintessential Renaissance man, having had successful careers in a variety of areas in this country and abroad. Although he loves to write poetry and short stories; his background includes work as an Educator, Program Administrator, Television Host, Family Therapist, Workshop Facilitator, and has been a judge for several Miss America Pageants.  He has a B.A. Degree from Morgan State University and a Masters Degree from Bryn Mawr College.  He also completed an internship with the Harvard School of Public Health’s Youth Violence Prevention Program. Before retiring in 2012, he served as the Director of Youth Suicide Prevention for the State of Maryland, Chairing the Governor’s First Commission on Suicide Prevention. 

He conducts workshops and has written articles in areas such as Youth Suicide and Violence Prevention, Race and Cultural Competence, Sexual Minority Issues, and was commissioned by the Harvard Field Notes Journal to write the article, ”Faces of Fear,” based on a workshop he had developed.  Awards include: The Distinguished Black Marylander Award (Towson State University), Governor’s Citations, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Public Health Hero Awards, The Marty Gibbs Trailblazer Award, Budweiser and Radio V103 Strong Achiever Award, State Social Work Administration Service Award, Cable T.V. Cameo Award, and was honored to be a Lecturer, Public Practice Grand Rounds, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 

DL: What are some of your reflections during the COVID-19 pandemic?

HW:  Wow, frightening topic, although our fear can sometimes save our lives. It is now time to listen to that fear - it’s warning us to shelter in place and to proceed with caution. For this virus doesn’t respect borders of countries, race, social or economic status, gender, culture, sexual orientation, age, religion, or one’s political affiliation. With COVID-19 among us, we may not be able to touch hands, but we can still touch hearts. So, help others during this time of crisis. 

DL: In celebration of National Poetry Month (April), can you share with us a few of your poems?

HW: Absolutely! Here are two poems:

Six     Feet     Between     You     and      Me  

Six feet between you and me

From Corona’s arms that’s how far we must be

Please don’t invite her for a neighborly tea

For she’s steeps a viral brew made just for two

And gives a killer of a kiss if close to you

Hand washing, a mask, and physical distance are our only hope

Her sensual touch is like a deadly dope

While old 45 still doesn’t have a clue

Didn’t he say this was a “hoax” just passing through?

Did he overdose on too much “Dipody Do”?

Black body bags walking boulevards now in fashion

 As Corona fevers our lives with a killer’s passion

And mountains of Americans die from White House inaction

Six feet between me and you

When our 45 is finally through

We’ll all be in a pine box with Corona flu  

So take a moment of distance from man to man

When you greet others you can’t touch even a hand

Just remember a hand is just a body part

And the most important thing that sets us humans apart

Is the way love touches us from heart to heart

A Slice of Heaven

I know it’s just a filling on top of crust it’s true

But every time I see one I go into a stew

My heart begins a beating, my lips begin to ache

I’ve even been known to eat a few just before they bake

The smell is so inviting, the taste oh so divine

I only have one problem it goes right on my behind

I know this all sounds crazy, a passion I can’t deny

For when I die my last request is for; a warm

smooth, honey colored, vanilla creamed drenched, nutmegged,

melted, cinnamon soaked, butter baked, sweet potato pie!

P.S. please have a grandmother bake it with love

DL: Where can folks learn more about you and your poetry?

HW:  This month, one of my poems (“Boxes") is featured in The Loch Raven Review https://thelochravenreview.net// More of my poetry will be highlighted in an anthology due out later this year. 

I can be reached at blkspirit1@comcast.net and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100016074197180

DL: It’s been a pleasure having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy your poetry.

HW: Thanks for this opportunity to share my work with your audience.