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![Meh](https://image.librarything.com/pics/litsy_webpics/icon_soso.png)
Probably best to take this as personal opinion rather
than objective qualitative review. Mostly because
me and poetry are frequently at odds! There were a
double-fistful of poems I enjoyed, there were many
more that spoke to important issues. There were a
quite a number that discussed blues and jazz and a
couple sections that were written to evoke music or
actual song lyrics! 1/?
romantic relationships, not always demonstrating
that healthiest dynamics. It's unfair to say that a lot
of it felt like a lot of repeats, because certainly
poet's have favourite themes. There were definitely
many poems which could as easily have been short
articles, opinion pieces on current events, which is
not to say the art form can't stretch to that type of
commentary. It's heartbreaking on two fronts: 4d
write for DECADES about injustice and racism
perpetrated on Black people, people of colour,
minorities, the poor. A heavy book in multiple
senses! Anti-colonial, anti-capitalist, pro-revolution, pro-union. Seems to go back and forth on religion. Nearly as much work on classism, economic inequality as racism. Has much to say and does not mince words! 4d
⚠️suicidal ideation, antisemitism, outdated/offensive language, racism, racially motivated murder, SA, domestic abuse, slavery, police violence, hypocrisy of fighting for democracy without civil rights, deaths in and out of conflict zones
(edited) 4d
My People
Gods
Exists
Dear Lovely Death
Militant
Merry Christmas
Tired
A Christian Country
The Coloured Soldier
Open Letter to the South
Goodbye Christ
Letter to the Academy
History
White Man
In Time if Silver Rain
This Puzzles Me
The Bitter River
Wake
Beaumont to Detroit: 1943
Freedom [2]
Ballad of Sam Solomon
Second Generation: New York
Cafe: 3 am
Subway Rush Hour
Bible Belt
Northern Liberal
(edited) 4d
Mother in Wartime
Governor Fires Dean 4d