THE FOOL PLAYERS: JUDGEMENT AT THE GOLDEN SHOVEL

About this poem

Below we have the original poem “The Pool Players by Gwendolyn Brooks, followed by the poem “The Fool Players by Sharik Currimbhoy Ebrahim” Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks (June 7, 1917 – December 3, 2000) was an American poet, author, and teacher. Her work often dealt with the personal celebrations and struggles of ordinary people in her community. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry on May 1, 1950, for Annie Allen, making her the first African American to receive a Pulitzer Prize. One of her most celebrated poems is “The Pool Players” about the plight of black youth, led astray, and outcast. The Fool Players by Sharik Currimbhoy Ebrahim is inspired by the unfairness of the circumstances of the Pool Players. It is based on a conversation where the poet learns of a friend, who suffers domestic abuse in silence. However, unlike the Pool Players, the author alludes to the scales of justice being balanced in the end for The Fool Players. It would mean a lot to me if you could rate my poem the number of stars you think appropriate. It would be very encouraging and I would really appreciate it. more »