Alice Walker ~ Blurbs...

-Amazing poet, author, woman whose writing has changed my life -Plethora of earth-based poetry that has the potential to speak to everyone in some way -5 books of poetry, four of which were published in a book entitled Her Blue Body Everything We Know: Earthling Poems 1965-1990. -If she was willing to give this book the subtitle of "Earthling Poems," then she too must view the vast majority of her poems as earth-based. -This book of "Earthling Poems" has sixteen new poems that did not appear in her previous works and these poems take on serious issues like racism, hatred, and issues of gender. -"Eagle Rock" (pg. 180) seems to apply to her Cherokee roots -Her poems seem to coincide with various aspects of her life that were impacted by culture/society -"Expect Nothing" (pg. 191) is one of her more cynical, but realistic poems ~ reflects personal views on life -Alice Walker is a prolific writer who lets her heart speak out through her words -Poems at the end of "Earthling Poems" seem like a stepping stone to her sixth and most recent book of poetry Absolute Trust in the Goodness of the Earth -The vast majority of her poetry comes off as genuine and personal, but with a broader implication -Her third book of poetry Good Night Willie Lee, I'll See You in the Morning, emphasizes familial ties and personal heritage. Acceptance of death. -Versatile poetry that has various effects on different people and makes them feel that there is something eluding them beyond the mist of her poetry, just within their grasp. -The progression of her poems seems to follow a logical progression with the course of her life, but can also be representative of some of the different stages that readers have undergone/will undergo in their lives. -Her poetry seems accessible to a wide audience, because although a plethora of her poems are earth-based or are based upon her personal philosophy and love for life, they still contain common themes. -"Remember?" (pg. 318) is the second poem in her fourth book of poetry Horses Make a Landscape Look More Beautiful, and it seems to summarize the theme of this entire book of poetry: HOPE for the human race. -"I am the woman: Dark / repaired, healed / Listening to you. / I would give / to the human race / only hope. / I am the woman / offering two flowers / whose roots / are twin / Justice and Hope / Let us begin" (pg. 318) ~ profound lines of poetry. -Is she trying to qualify herself as a 'whole' person before making the claims and assertions she does in this book of poetry? -Her first book of poetry, Once, is full of despairing poems that essentially saved Walker's life after her abortion. -One of the only books of poetry where she experiments with indentation on the page. Highly personal poems. -Progression of poems over time = KEY!! -Alice Walker’s interview with Jean Ross = good to show her opinion of her own growth as a poet -Poetry = Walker’s Passion! -Contemporary poems relate to world outside of herself—reclaim ancient global connections…Cherokee roots (Horses Make a Landscape Look More Beautiful) -In Revolutionary Petunias she touches upon relationship dynamics within the black community. -Book of self-discovery as well! -Some declare Walker to be a “womanist,” but I disagree as I think it is used derogatorily and any semblance of feminism in her writing is out of a genuine concern for the equality of women. -Thadious Davis’s criticisms could be a good source to argue against. -Walker’s poetry provides a clear depiction of her love for nature, her inner harmony, and her oneness with the universe. Looking at the title of her most recent book is a clear indication of where she stands right now—Absolute Trust in the Goodness of the Earth. -Trust is a crucial element in many of her poems, especially the more contemporary ones. -Highly meditative poems that encourage deep reflection among readers. -“These Mornings of Rain” (pg. 319) ~ “…meditation / has made me one / with the pine tree / outside my door…” ~ example of her personal oneness with the earth coming out through poetry. -Walker’s inner peace truly prevails in her later poems -Her poems have inspired me to be less critical, to accept what cannot be changed, and to try and live in peace and harmony with others and nature.