By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) The African-American poet Audre Lorde (1934-92) was a self-described ‘Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet.’ Her poetry was often openly political and was intended to help other women – and in particular Black American women – to connect with each other through a kind of […]
Tag: Audre Lorde
A Summary and Analysis of Audre Lorde’s ‘Poetry Is Not a Luxury’
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) ‘Poetry Is Not a Luxury’ is a 1977 essay by the American poet Audre Lorde (1934-92). In the essay, Lorde argues that poetry is a necessity for women, as it puts them in touch with old feelings and ways of knowing which they have […]
A Summary and Analysis of Audre Lorde’s ‘Power’
‘Power’ is a 1978 poem by the African-American poet Audre Lorde (1934-92), published in her collection The Black Unicorn. Lorde was a self-described ‘Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet.’ In ‘Power’, Lorde explores racial injustice, and in particular, racial violence against children, and discusses how Black writers such as herself should […]
A Summary and Analysis of Audre Lorde’s ‘Coal’
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) ‘Coal’ is a 1968 poem by the African-American poet Audre Lorde (1934-92). Lorde was a self-described ‘Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet.’ The ‘warrior’ is as important as the other words. Her poem ‘Coal’ is one of her most frequently anthologised, and sees Lorde harnessing […]