Strong: Three Poems

by Pat Parker, Cheryl Clarke (Introduction)

Strong: Three Poems showcases the poetry of Pat Parker in anticipation of the publication of The Complete Works of Pat Parker in 2016 by Sinister Wisdom and A Midsummer Night's Press.

One of the exemplary voices of feminist poetry, Parker was beloved in lesbian-feminist communities during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. She was the author of five collections of poetry including the iconic Movement in Black and Jonestown & Other Madness. Based in the San Francisco bay area, she traveled around the country performing her powerful poems and giving voice to the experiences of African-American lesbians.

With a new introduction by Cheryl Clarke, Strong: Three Poems celebrates the work of Pat Parker, introducing her to a new generation of readers.

Genres: Poetry, LGBT

60 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Pat Parker was an American poet and activist. Both her poetry and her activism drew from her experiences as an African-American lesbian feminist. Her poetry spoke about her tough childhood growing up in poverty, dealing with sexual assault, and the murder of a sister.

Reviews

[Adrienne Baugh Donahue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pat Parker’s poem, For the white person who wants to know how to be my friend:

“The first thing you do is to forget that i’m Black.
Second, you must never forget that i’m Black.”