Living as a lesbian : poetry / by Cheryl Clarke.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Clarke, Cheryl, 1947-

Contributor:

Joanna Banks Collection of African American Books (University of Pennsylvania)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Lesbians--Poetry.

Lesbians.

African American lesbians.

African American lesbians--Poetry.

Genre:

Poetry.

Penn Provenance:

Banks, Joanna (donor) (inscription) (Banks Collection copy)

Clarke, Cheryl, 1947- (autograph) (Banks Collection copy)

Physical Description:

94 pages, 2 unnumbered pages ; 22 cm

Place of Publication:

Ithaca, New York : Firebrand Books, [1986].

Summary:

Nothing lukewarm here. Major Black poet writes variations on themes of blackness, anger, loss, lesbianism and sex.

Contents:

i. 14th street was gutted; wearing my cap backwards; how like a man; urban gothic; auction; acceptance; living as a lesbian on the make; the layoff

ii. the woman who raised me; journal entry: sisters; for my mother, 1979; palm leaf for Mary Magdalene; freedom flesh; funeral thoughts; palm reading; storyteller; Indira; the weekend my lover is away; no more encomiums

iii. I come to the city for protection; journal entry: the last postcard; great expectations; Vicki and Daphne; fall journal entry: 1983

iv. intimacy is no luxury here; living as a lesbian in the journal; nothing; what goes around comes around or the proof is in the pudding

v. we are everywhere; journal entry: qualification; the change; San Juan; sexual preference

vi. since my lover left the city; Miami: 1980; living as a lesbian underground: a futuristic fantasy; sister of a famous artist brother

vii. an exile I have loved; living as a lesbian rambling; Pueblo Bonito; triumph; jazz poem for Morristown, N.J.; to Vanessa Williams: Miss America (black); living as a lesbian at 35; marimba; Kittatinny.

Notes:

"Book design by Mary A. Scott."

"Cover design by Betsy Bayley."

Publisher's advertisements: [1] page at end.

Local Notes:

Kislak Center Banks Collection copy presented to the Penn Libraries in 2018 by Joanna Banks.

Banks Collection copy inscribed "Joanna, You and your life are crucial. Keep it and keep it safe. Good luck. Cheryl 5/4/86".

ISBN:

0932379133

0932379125

OCLC:

13333362