Una Marson: Selected Poems

by Una Marson

Presenting some of the most noteworthy pieces from a remarkably influential West Indian poet, this anthology sheds light on the lesser-known literary accomplishments of Una Marson. Revealing the work of a woman whose writing pioneered the articulation of gender and racial oppression, brought Jamaican vernacular voices alongside a Wordsworth-inspired passion for nature, and ventured to give subjectivity to marginalized subjects, this collection includes, in addition to her well-known poems, previously unpublished work from the 1930s through the 1950s. Striving to answer the question of how one writes as a modern black woman reaching out to the poor and powerless, this extensive selection embodies an exceptionally significant poetic achievement.

Genres: Poetry

164 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2011

About the author

Una Maud Victoria Marson was a Jamaican feminist, activist and writer, producing poems, plays and radio programmes.

She travelled to London in 1932 and became the first black woman to be employed by the BBC during World War II. In 1942, she became producer of the programme Calling the West Indies, turning it into Caribbean Voices, which became an important forum for Caribbean literary work.

Reviews

[Alicia (PrettyBrownEyeReader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una Marson was a renowned Caribbean poet. Many of the poems contained in the collection reflect her Jamaican heritage. She also wrote about London and Europe, where she relocated to during WWII and became a BBC reporter. Marson captured the climate, people, issues of each of the places she wrote about while writing in distinct rhyme patterns.

The subject matter of her poems vary: love, nature, racism, politics. She seemed to be able to write about anything. My favorite poems in the collection were love poems. One of my favorite stanzas in the collection is from the poem, Longing.

I long for your caresses,
For just one tender kiss,
To thrill my soul with rapture
And fill my heart with bliss.

I read this poetry collection because of a recommendation from Didi (Brown Girl Reading).

Fans of poetry will enjoy and savor this collection as well as lovers of Caribbean literature.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a newfound passionate fan of Una Marson. Her poems are beyond beautiful, lyrical and so whimsical. Her words carry such vivid passion and create such elaborate images. Here is a list of my favourites out of this collection of selected poems.

Longing
Incomplete
I am Content
Vows
Loves Farewell
Loves Lament
Another Mould
In Jamaica
Little Brown Girl
N- Word
Heartbreak Cottages
Winged Ants
My Beloved
My Need
Confession
Black is Fancy
Cinema Eyes
Kinky Hair Blues
Black Burden
Brown Baby Blues
Politeness

I adored, adored, adored reading this whole collection.

[Manar M · Rating 4 out of 5]

delightful!!!

[ouijacine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing work, comparing to Selvon’s the lonely Londoners really enriched the experience of una in London

[jakira · Rating 3 out of 5]

eh, this was just ok for me