Booksology Below, we’ve collected a collection of poems that continue Giovanni’s tradition of exploring everything from homosexuality to oppression and everyday life from his artistic ancestors.
A Good Cry: What We Can Learn from Tears and Laughter by Nikki Giovanni
In this 2017 poetry-memoir hybrid, Giovanni reflects on the life that led her to become a literary and social justice icon, and the life that followed. She remembers her parents’ turbulent and violent marriage, her grandparents saving her, her artistic influences, and even the good times she spent with her friend Maya Angelou.
Jericho Brown’s Tradition
Brown’s award-winning third collection of poetry explores Greek mythology, Christianity, science, and art to show how vulnerable the most vulnerable are. The history of neglect and mistreatment of black bodies, particularly those of queer black men, is explored through a variety of scenarios, both personal and historical. Brown also invented another poem in the double verse form, combining blues, sonnets, and ghazals.
Meanwhile, written by Leili Long Soldier
The Long Soldier looks at the duality of language and identity as a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe and as a citizen of the United States. She details the small-scale and numerous violences that occur when Lakota is translated into English, but also details how things resist this dismissive treatment.
Rangikura: Poetry by Tayi Tibble
Tibble’s latest collection grapples with colonization and exploitation, vulnerability and loss. She looks at the damage inflicted on Māori communities with a unique and fresh perspective, just as she looks at pop culture, politics and beauty.
The World Continues to End, and the World Continues by Frannie Choi
Here, Che’s poem shows that for all the descendants of colonialism, police violence, and other forms of colonialism, the end of the world always felt like it was just around the corner. These poems zoom out and transcend time, looking at everything from Korean comfort women during World War II to pop music.
Song of My Softening by Omotara James
James’s poetry explores the power relationship we have with ourselves and extends it to the power relationship between the world and black queerness. The language here is very concise in how it calls out how we express ourselves and how society views our bodies.
**Below is a list of new BIPOC books launching this week for All Access members.**
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