The Complete Works of Pat Parker

Sinister Wisdom #102

by Pat Parker, Julie R. Enszer (Editor), Judy Grahn (Introduction)

"The Complete Works of Pat Parker gathers all of Parker’s published work from two books (Movement in Black and Jonestown & Other Madness) and three chapbooks (Child of Myself, Pit Stop, and Womanslaughter) with other previously unpublished poems, two plays, and a handful of prose essays. The Complete Works of Pat Parker is the most comprehensive presentation of Parker’s work." -- Editor.

The Complete Works of Pat Parker is the fourth title in the Sapphic Classics Series, reprint edition of iconic works of lesbian poetry, co-published by A Midsummer Night’s Press and Sinister Wisdom (released as Sinister Wisdom issue #102).

Genres: Poetry, LGBT, Feminism, Nonfiction, Queer, Lesbian, Classics

484 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2016

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren't enough stars in the sky for this.

[Carter Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to Pat Parker through an interlude on Solange's last album, and bought this book on a bit of a whim--I've been meaning to read more poetry, and this felt like a great place to start. Everything in here is worth reading, but here are a few that really stood out to me:
- [if it were possible] (featured on "Exit Scott")
- Gay Parenting, Or, Look out, Anita
- Womanslaughter
- Snatches of a Day
- my brother
- [i wish that i could hate you]
- for the white person who wants to know how to be my friend
- [Have you ever tried to hide?]

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pat Parker is my favorite poet to ever live. She was a black, feminist, lesbian poet who was good friends with Audre Lorde. Parker’s one remaining collection of poetry that was still in print (Movement in Black) when I took a black feminism class in college changed my views on poetry for life. That book has since now gone out of print. When I saw that Sinister Wisdom re-released ALL her work, I genuinely cried. Parker’s poetry is political and she wrote about real experiences that black and queer folks still face today.

Thank you for my gifted copy, Sinister Wisdom!

[Jacob Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Even in our worst times
some part of us –
finds each other."
– Pat Parker

[Jayce · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

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. Pat Parker was from my hometown of Houston, making her writing particularly special to me. Some poems are delivered like punches to the gut, while others are affectionate whispers of sapphic love. 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. 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."

I was also really inspired by Parker's colloquial, casual voice and stylistic approach to poetry. Pat writes poems in a way that makes it seem easy, despite the complex themes embedded within her work. Her accessible style invites anyone to read her poetry, and she in turn inspired in me a courage write in my own authentic 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. The best poetry is unaffected, written in one's own genuine, unabashed voice. That's what makes these poems so fucking great.

I have very little experience reading plays, but these two short plays were awesome. "Hard Time" is particularly resonant for today, offering a concise, heartbreaking portrait of the tension black police officer and his revolutionary son. 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. 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). 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.

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. Undoubtedly, I'll return to this volume over and over again. Pat Parker is one of the most underrated poets I have ever read, and she immediately found her place amongst my favorite writers.

[Flávia (Fuga de Letras) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pat Parker é simplesmente excelente, de uma voz poética tão bela e tão forte. Há muito que a queria ler, após encontrar um poema dela online (do livro "Jonestown & other Madness"), e esta antologia é a forma perfeita de conhecer o seu trabalho poético (tem também 2 peças de teatro e outros escritos, mas o foco é a poesia) e a sua voz, as suas ideias e activismo, muito vigente nas suas palavras.

Não sei como descrever o livro, posso apenas recomendá-lo com toda a força e carinho. Foi uma autora estreia para mim que se tornou a poeta favorita. Isso, em si, já diz muito!

Num dos poemas, a autora diz que queria "pintar imagens com palavras"* e é mesmo isso que a sua poesia faz.

Alguns excertos de poemas de que gostei bastante (incluo os títulos para que possam ler na íntegra, se quiserem):


I will come with my many sisters
and decorate the streets
with the innards of those
brothers in womanslaughter.
No more, can I dull my rage
in alcohol & deference
to men's courts.
I will come to my sisters
not dutiful,
I will come strong.
(de "Womanslaughter", um dos melhores e mas fortes poemas da autora, na opinião. A irmã da autora foi assassinada pelo seu ex-marido e toda essa dor, revolta, injustiça estão expressas no poema.)


In the morning when I wake
I don’t look out my window
to see if the sun is shining.
I turn to you instead.
("If it were possible")


- todo o poema "I am a child of America" é bastante pertinente, principalmente com a atitude actual de tratar discurso de fascista como opinião válida a ser escutada e os perigos que daí resultam.
"there is no contradiction
what the Nazis say
will cause
people
to hurt
ME"


*"but I want to write / paint pictures / with words / read poems for people" (do poema "maybe I should have been a teacher")

[gnarlyhiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever. Always.

[Sylvia Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

for now we have read enough , about half of them, but it is a thick book and the themes of being black, gay and female, whilst so very powerful adn important, really needed a change of theme. BUT i will come back to this poets writing and quite often, she is distinctive in both voice and perception, and throws light on ideas and experiences that this while cis gendered woman needs to be reminded of

[M. Ainomugisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

there’s no amount of review writing that can hold for this collection.
i read fragment by fragment over a couple of weeks; each time finding something daring, something surprising, something whole.
an utter meditation.

[Shannon Stamps (Shannon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I now know how my favorite poet is, It’s Pat! I have so much respect for other poets for sure but Pat, Pat, she got me. Sad I discovered her so late but her story finished before I was 10 years old. But Pat Parker you are my favorite

[Lilly Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing compares. This is one of the best books I've ever read

[Julia Barbier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will make you cry.

[Jo' · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'm beginning to
wonder if
the tactics
of this revolution
is to
talk the enemy to death."

Gods I love Black lesbian poets.

[Zack]

Worth reading both as a poetry book and as a history book.

[theperksofbeingmarissa ;) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. It took me about a month to really digest Parker's work. Her poetry is so beautiful and moving. I will definitely revisit this book sometime again. ✨️❤️💘

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queer poetry is part of our history too! I'll never stop recommending Pat Parker ("For Willyce" is stellar).

[mariiii ♱ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book means everything to me.

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

lot's to find in this

[eve is reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

may pat parker be never forgotten <3

it is fantastic to have her works compiled here and there were many poems in particular that were very moving. i found the fiction/plays less strong but still significant to include to fully encompase parker's range. her works are essentials.