Soul Motion (A Book of Reality/Rhythms)

The first collection of poems by this African-American poet from Cincinnati, with illustrations of Angela Davis, Richard Nixon, scenes of violence, police, other black radicals, athletes, and more.

Clay (also known as Kwame Mwanafunsi) begins this book with a dedication to his daughter Imani, and a feminist nod to all the "beautiful Black Women" "who with their Love help Black Men survive." Among the poems included here are "With Thanks to Malcolm," "Thoughts on a Queen of the Universe," "Writing Poems in amerika," "To Aretha," "Psalm for the Children," "Your Song (to midnight love)," "Poem for a True/Black/ Revolution," and "A Slight Prayer." This final poem reads in its entirety: "if / Black Love / is / Black Poetry / then / O Great Spirit / please / give Us more / poem."

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Kwame left high school early for the "higher education of the Streets," but later came full circle-returning to complete high school and then working towards a Communication degree at Xavier University. As noted here, Kwame also attended the University Without Walls and the University of Cincinnati. He published widely, and also taught at Howard University (under writer John Oliver Killens) and at other institutions. The preface to Kwame's second book, Spirit Songs, is written by Angeline Jamison, a professor of Afro-American Studies at the University of Cincinnati. Jamison cites Kwame's knowledge of racism and oppression, and notes that he has "looked at Black life as a world-wide experience, and fused our historical past with our cultural present...Kwame's poetry is poetry of celebration. And the imagery, symbolism, the language itself are representative of his commitment to Black Culture, Black People and Black Art. There is music here, and there is a kind of joy that says the poet has been able to transcend the difficulties of creative optimism in the 1980's. But most of all in Spirit Songs, there is a commitment to Black life."

Worldcat records seven copies.

CONDITION: Very good, light rubbing to covers.