Selected Poems
‘Her Black Woman’s voice rings true and deep and gentle, with an iron echo. It is merciless and vulnerable and far ranging.’ —Audre Lorde
Alongside her invaluable contributions to social justice, Pat Parker (1944-1989) wrote five collections of poetry during her lifetime and is widely recognised as one of the leading African-American, lesbian-feminist voices of the 20th Century.
Selected Poems collects her most loved works into an accessible volume, introducing new readers to Parker’s fire for justice, tenderness, and vision for the world.
This is the first time Pat Parker’s poetry has been published in the United Kingdom.
Readers interested in Pat Parker’s life may also enjoy The Letters of Audre Lorde and Pat Parker 1974–1989, an archival work documenting their intimate friendship and important work as activist-poets.
Pat Parker
Pat Parker (1944-1989) was the author of five volumes of poetry, including Movement in Black, Jonestown & Other Madness, and Woman Slaughter. Parker was born in Houston, TX, in 1944 and moved to Los Angeles, CA after she graduated high school. She lived in the San Francisco bay area from 1965 until her death. Parker died in 1989 from complications of cancer. Her partner of nine years, Martha Dunham, and their daughter, Anastasia Dunham-Parker-Brady, survived her as well as Cassidy Brown who she co-parented.
Author portrait © P. Wallace