The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni: 1968-1998

Fiery, romantic, sexy, humorous. She the poet.

I wanted to give myself the time and the space to write a review of this collection that would really do it justice, but, unlike Nikki Giovanni, I just don't have that gift of language, style, and form.When I was in elementary school, I once memorized "Nikki-Rosa" for an oratorical contest. Since then I've read the occasional Nikki Giovanni poem or essay here and there, but I've never taken the time to sit and read through any of her poetry volumes. I'm so very happy that I finally did. My only regret is that I didn't read this sooner. Giovanni is endlessly innovative and dynamic. The things that she does with structure and verse....It's simply incomparable. Her work is firmly and solidly poetry. But it is also genre-bending, and this becomes very apparent when you read 'Those Who Ride the Night Winds' and bear witness to the creation of line-less poetic form. As far as the content, some would say that, over time, you see a "depoliticization" of her work. What I mean by that is, at the start of her career, when she was a visible member of the Black Arts Movement, her work was undoubtedly political. In earlier volumes like 'Black Feeling Black Talk' or 'Black Judgement,' Giovanni's critique of what bell hooks would later call "white supremacist capitalist patriarchy" is very clear. Later volumes like 'My House' and 'Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day' have a very different, more personal feel. However, I think that this binary is dangerous. I wouldn't categorize the earlier half of the collection as "more political" and the latter half as "more personal" because, if you read closely, you will see that throughout her career, Giovanni has seamlessly intertwined the personal and the political, the emotional and the intellectual. Through and through, this poetry collection is all about the many dimensions of Black life and the numerous facets of Black lives. In some poetry volumes included in the collection, perhaps one element is more visible than the other, but, most assured, all elements are present. In the interview with Jill Scott at the end of the collection, Giovanni remarks, "The collection really shows my growth, my understanding. I don't want to say wisdom because I am not trying to be some sort of Buddha, but I've learned so much and I want my work to show that. I want to keep growing. It was important to me that my work grow."That growth is visible. And so much more. Nikki Giovanni is one of the most gifted poets of our time, and after reading this collection, you will know exactly why.My favorite verse? from "Balances" ('Black Judgement'):"and i've begun(as a reaction to a feeling)to balancethe pleasure of lonelinessagainst the painof loving you"

Okay, I admit she is not everybody's cup of tea (obviously as one can see with that last review) but she does have her charm. Personally I love her later work. Her early work is okay, but I can't make a connection to it as I'm a product of the post-Civil Rights/Black Power era. Her voice during those years served it purpose in the way African American art sought to seek a no-nonsense approach to black life in America (which wasn't as peachy fun as it should have been). "Black Feeling/Black Talk" and "Black Judgment" are written statements against White Supremacy (which was the child of Social Darwinism). But in her later works in the 70s, you see a shift in her work. The Black Power movement had died down (it didn't die out though) and so I guessed the logical approach to her work would have had to change as well. And thankfully it did. Not to say that she had softened into a free-loving poet but that her passion (which is still evident today in this 63 year old woman) has changed in its subjects.My favorite book of hers (which this collection includes) is "Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day", which was poignant and warm (while her earlier work had been provocative and hot). My second favorite book (which is not in this collection) is " Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea: Poems and Not Quite Poems " (even though her new book " Acolytes: Poems " is pretty wonderful too). Some poems are really a joy to read. I remember when I first read "Ego-Tripping"; I thought that the title was perfect for the poem (cause her ego was tripping). It's a poem about the contribution that Africa has given to Western Civilization. Egypt is in Africa not the Middle East! Hannibal was from Carthage, which means he was African! The poem made me think about the rich history and cultures of Africa that most tend to just glance over. African influence extends beyond the continent and into the lives of people all over. It's a stirring poem. I also like "Nikki-Rosa" with that statement "...black love is black wealth", speaking of the fact that for the things that African Americans didn't have in the past what they did have that mattered (which some feel is being lost) was close emotional ties within families and friendships in the black community. I recommend that people watch the movie " Lackawanna Blues " and then read "Nikki-Rosa" and see what I mean. Nikki Giovanni appeals to me as a human being and not as being part African American. Her words (especially her most recent work "Acolytes") talks to me as an individual writer. She lives a fulfilling life as a writer, teacher, mother, lover and I know that she would want every person who reads her work to see that and seek out a fulfilling life for themselves. Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea: Poems and Not Quite PoemsAcolytes: PoemsLackawanna Blues

Nikki never disappoints me. Her poetry is timeless and classic.She's a Delta as well and I support my fellow Deltas!!!

Nikki Giovanni has always been a favorite poet and this volume does not disappoint. She is a fabulous writer, so perceptive and witty also. More people should read her.