Throughout my education and in my personal reading of poetry, I have come across many women of color writers that inspire me. Though this list does not represent all of the amazing authors I’ve read, it speaks to the ones who stood out the most in my early years, moved me, changed my ways of thinking, showed me a different perspective, and inspired me to one day write at their level.
- Maya Angelou
I first bought a book of Angelou’s poems at the Strand Book Store in New York and I fell in love with her writing. One of my favorite poems of hers, “Remembering,” speaks to human vulnerability:
“Soft grey ghosts crawl up my sleeve
to peer into my eyes
while I within deny their threats
and answer them with lies.
Mushlike memories perform
a ritual on my lips
I lie in stolid hopelessness
and they lay my soul in strips.”
Maya Angelou
2. Jamaica Kincaid
Jamaica Kincaid’s “Lucy,” the story of a young woman from the West Indies, showed me how little I know past my own experience as a white woman living in America. It is safe to say this book relayed an experience that made an impact on my view of the world. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy her story, but her style of writing as well.
- K .Y. Robinson
In high school, I received Robinson’s “Chaos of Longing” as a gift. I remember enjoying K.Y. Robinson’s writing so much that I read her collection in one sitting. It even shaped the way I wrote my own book! One of my favorite shorter poems of hers is called “blood”:
“i’m half jerk chicken
and collard greens
suffocating
in this nightmare
called the american dream.”
K .Y. Robinson
- Toni Morrison
I am definitely not the first to say I admire the way Toni Morrison writes. One of my favorites of hers is “Sula,” which touches upon many different themes, such as race and gender roles. Though, I must admit, there are so many more books of hers that I still can’t wait to read!
- Rupi Kaur
Undeniably, her best-selling book, “Milk and Honey,” changed the world of poetry as we know it. Her short, straightforward poems helped get me–and many others–into this world. Her story as an author is even more inspiring, considering that she started as a self-published author (especially to those who are self-published, like me!). If you’re new to poetry, Rupi Kaur’s writing is a great place to start.
- Gwendolyn Brooks
In one of my poetry classes, we listened to a recording of Brooks speaking “We Real Cool” before reading it. What words she emphasized, the pacing, the tone–it made all the difference. I felt her words.
- Lucille Clifton
One of my absolute favorite poems of Lucille Clifton’s is called “homage to my hips.”
The last few lines read:
“these hips are magic hips.
i have known them
to put a spell on a man and
spin him like a top!”
Lucille Clifton