A CHILD'S EYES ARE THE EYES OF THE WORLD
The poem was inspired by Alice Walker's "What Will Save Us" from her collection Absolute Trust in the Goodness of the Earth.
YOUNG NEGRESS BARGAINS WITH BIRTH COUNTRY
The poem is after "America" by Allen Ginsberg. Other inspirations include "Poem after Betye Saar's The Liberation of Aunt Jemima" by Ama Codjoe and Safiya Sinclair's poetic sequence "Notes on the State of Virginia" from her collection Cannibal.
WRITTEN HISTORY
The poem was inspired by Maya Marshall's "Why Don't You Parent a Little?" from her beautiful debut full-length collection All the Blood Involved in Love.
NO BLACK PRELUDES
The poem was inspired by Safia Elhillo.
MY NAME BORN FROM MY MOTHER'S HEAD.
The poem was inspired by Safiya Sinclair, specifically "Pocomania" from her stunning collection Cannibal.
AUTHORITY
The poem is after "Allowables" by Nikki Giovanni and was also loosely inspired by "The Ownership of Naming Things" by Aria Aber from her collection Hard Damage.
ON THE MORNING NEWS
The poem was inspired by Lucille Clifton.
UNTITLED [I do not consent to silence...]
The poem was inspired by "Poem about My Rights by June Jordan.
