Death With Occasional Smiling

BROKE BAROQUE is the third in a series of Broke Books by award-winning poet, Tony Medina. Centered on Medina’s iconic everyman, Broke, a character that bears witness to his plight of homelessness in a humorous yet profound way. BROKE BAROQUE contains poetry peppered with images articulating Broke’s erratic experiences on the streets of Any City, USA. Through tall tales, anecdotes, episodes, rants and jokes, Broke eloquently and irreverently conveys his marginalization in a grossly unaccommodating society. With his trademark absurd and caustic wit, Medina portrays Broke’s anger, fear, humility, and resolve with humor, insight and compassion, bringing moments of levity and hopefulness to Broke’s plight. Funny and perversely sharp, whimsical and impassioned, BROKE BAROQUE is compulsively readable and will connect with any book and poetry lover alike. With a powerful introduction by McArthur-winner Ishmael Reed.

A collection of prose, poetry, and art in support of award-winning journalist and former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted of killing a Philadephia police officer and sentenced to death after a questionable trial.

Poems.

A biography in verse of reggae legend Bob Marley, exploring the influences that shaped his life and music on his journey from rural Jamaican childhood to international superstardom.

Bum Rush the Page is a groundbreaking collection, capturing the best new work from the poets who have brought fresh energy, life, and relevance to American poetry. “Here is a democratic orchestration of voices and visions, poets of all ages, ethnicities, and geographic locations coming together to create a dialogue and to jam–not slam. This is our mouth on paper, our hearts on our sleeves, our refusal to shut up and swallow our silence. These poems are tough, honest, astute, perceptive, lyrical, blunt, sad, funny, heartbreaking, and true. They shout, they curse, they whisper, and sing. But most of all, they tell it like it is.” –Tony Medina, from the Introduction

This biography in verse offers readers an exciting glimpse into the life of one of our most talented and beloved poets. Fourteen poems explore important themes and events in Hughes? life. We learn about his lonely childhood spent with his grandmother, who told him stories of his heroic ancestors. We see the racism and poverty he overcame, and how he followed his dream to become a poet. We learn of Hughes? love of language and travel, and how he inspired other writers. While Hughes often struggled with poverty and a world that did not welcome black poets, he stayed true to his dream of writing poetry in the language of black folks, celebrating the people with whom he grew up. This book is perfect for those who already know and love the work of Langston Hughes as well as for those who want to learn more about this inspiring man and acclaimed writer.

"Renia White's debut poetry collection pushes against state-sanctioned authority and societal thought while ruminating on Black joy"--