5 Must-Read Amiri Baraka Poems

Amiri Baraka was an American poet, fiction writer, and music critic. Throughout his career, he published several books of poetry and taught at universities around the United States. He is best known for his 2008 Tales of the Out and the Gone.

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Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note

‘Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note’ (1961) is the titular poem of Amiri Baraka’s first collection of poems. This piece introduces a depressed narrator engrossed with the thoughts of dying.

This is one of Baraka's best-known poems. It's quite short and relatively easy to read, meaning that its powerful images are capable of reaching a wide audience. The poet may not be as well-known as some of their contemporaries, but this poem proves that the poet's work is certainly worth reading.

Lately, I've become accustomed to the way

The ground opens up and envelopes me

Each time I go out to walk the dog.

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Black Art

A fusion of art and activism, ‘Black Art’ is a desperate call in passionate attire for an unwavering zeal for the empowerment of the black community.

Amiri Baraka was a prominent African American writer who disregarded traditional conventions in his combative writing style with his ardent and charged writing. A pivotal figure in the Black Art Movement, he combined artistic expression with political activism. As a result, his writings are infused with activism and a desire for change. His poetry piece 'Black Art' exemplifies this unashamed aggressive expression and is an important monument to his talent and passionate style.

Poems are bullshit unless they are

Teeth or trees or lemons piled

On a step. Or black ladies dying

Of men leaving nickel hearts

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SOS

Amiri Baraka’s ‘SOS’ is a passionate call for unity, urging Black people to come together for urgent change. Much like today’s social movements, the poem stresses collective action to address systemic injustice.

Known for his bold calls to action, Baraka often used his poetry to address social issues, particularly racial injustice. This poem’s urgency and directness reflect his passion for challenging societal norms and pushing for change. Just like in his plays and other works, Baraka’s message here is clear: unity and collective action are essential for progress.

Calling all black people

Calling all black people, man woman

child

Wherever you are, calling you,

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An Agony. As Now.

‘An Agony. As Now.’ is an ambiguous poem portraying a speaker who shares a mutual hatred for his body. The soul elaborates on the reason for his hatred; he is totally disconnected from his flesh who is rather incapable of feeling but pretends to feel anyhow.

This poem is one of Baraka's more widely known poems. Although not as popular as the poems and novels that pushed the Black Arts movement forward, this poem still retains popularity for its open-endedness and universality. It also retains Baraka's signature crudeness that translated well into his movement.

I am inside someone

who hates me. I look

out from his eyes. Smell

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History as Process

‘History as Process’ is one of the celebratory poems of Black History Month. It evaluates the history of the African-Americans and how it is important for the poet, Amiri Baraka.

The evaluation of the mysteries by the sons of all experience. All suffering, if we call the light a thing all men should know. Or find. Wherever, in the dark folds

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5 Must-Read Amiri Baraka Poems

Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note

Black Art

SOS

An Agony. As Now.

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