The Way We Be: Poetry, Prosetry and Prose - Paperback

Most of the poems in this book are not beautiful. The reason is that their dominating themes are injustice and oppression, which by its very nature, cannot be beautiful. These poems served as a catharsis for me, and as an exposition of truth to America. The truth is America is still sick. This lingering illness is related to the same sickness that allowed slavery, The Black Codes, Jim Crow Laws, lynchings, segregation, discrimination, and unjust systemic racism to flourish in this country for centuries, and allows it to continue to thrive to this very day. Although you will find little beauty within, I hope you will find much truth, for the truth will eventually set us free. Although the theme is injustice, the style of the poems is eclectic. Within this book, one will experience the sonnet, ballad, lai, prose-poem, villanelle, free-verse, and prosetry, a word I have invented to describe prose the merges into poetry, and vice-versa. It is hoped that you will appreciate the impact these poems might have on your attitude concerning race and unity in America. Loretta A. Hawkins is an American playwright, poet, author, spoken-word artist, and retired educator. She lives in Chicago, Illinois.