Undoubtedly, I'll return to this volume over and over again. It's hard for me to review this collection cus everything in here is just so damn good and I think everyone should just read these poems. I'm thinking of the final poem in the volume, 'Trying to do how mama did can un Do you,' where Pat publicly disavows the feminine domestic conventions privately embodied by her own mother.

Too often poetry is seen as a private, solitary, isolated project, but Pat raises her voice and brings traditionally private/domestic themes out into the open (often via literal performance). It's evident that Pat was interested in writing as a public practice: her poem Movement in Black is meant to be performed and read aloud, as are her plays and speeches. 'Hard Time' is particularly resonant for today, offering a concise, heartbreaking portrait of the tension black police officer and his revolutionary son. I have very little experience reading plays, but these two short plays were awesome. That's what makes these poems so fucking great. The best poetry is unaffected, written in one's own genuine, unabashed voice. Works like this remind me that poetry doesn't have to be perfect we don't write poetry for The Man, we write for the people, for one another poetry need not be perfectly formatted or conventionally executed. Her accessible style invites anyone to read her poetry, and she in turn inspired in me a courage write in my own authentic voice. Pat writes poems in a way that makes it seem easy, despite the complex themes embedded within her work. I was also really inspired by Parker's colloquial, casual voice and stylistic approach to poetry.

One example of this driving conviction is the speech she delivered at the BASTA conference in 1980, entitled 'Revolution: It's Not Neat or Pretty or Quick.' Indeed, this was a woman filled with equal parts love and conviction, and she makes it very clear that she has no qualms calling bullshit - something I greatly admire about her work. Some poems are delivered like punches to the gut, while others are affectionate whispers of sapphic love. Pat Parker was from my hometown of Houston, making her writing particularly special to me. This volume predominantly features Pat's accessible, gripping poetry, but it also offers a few short essays and other prose, as well as two incredible plays. This volume blew my mind! I learned of Pat Parker through a bell hooks lecture, and I am so glad I happened upon this text at my favorite, indie feminist book shop in Austin, Tx: Bookwoman.

Sinister Wisdom 77 by Diane Foster