The Essential Etheridge Knight
The Essential Etheridge Knight
ETHERIDGE KNIGHT
Series: Pitt Poetry Series
Copyright Date: 1986
Published by: University of Pittsburgh Press
https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v
Pages: 128
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt6wrb5v
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Book Info
The Essential Etheridge Knight
Book Description:

Winner of the 1987 American Book AwardThe Essential Etheridge Knightis a selection of the best work by one of the country's most prominent and liveliest poets. It brings together poems from Knight's previously published books and a section of new poems.

eISBN: 978-0-8229-9109-0
Subjects: Language & Literature
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Table of Contents
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  1. Front Matter
    Front Matter (pp. [i]-[vi])
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.1
  2. Table of Contents
    Table of Contents (pp. [vii]-2)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.2
  3. GENESIS
    GENESIS (pp. 3-4)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.3
  4. 1
    • HARD ROCK RETURNS TO PRISON FROM THE HOSPITAL FOR THE CRIMINAL INSANE
      HARD ROCK RETURNS TO PRISON FROM THE HOSPITAL FOR THE CRIMINAL INSANE (pp. 7-8)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.4
    • CELL SONG
      CELL SONG (pp. 9-9)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.5
    • HE SEES THROUGH STONE
      HE SEES THROUGH STONE (pp. 10-11)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.6
    • THE IDEA OF ANCESTRY
      THE IDEA OF ANCESTRY (pp. 12-13)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.7
    • ON THE YARD
      ON THE YARD (pp. 14-14)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.8
    • A WASP WOMAN VISITS A BLACK JUNKIE IN PRISON
      A WASP WOMAN VISITS A BLACK JUNKIE IN PRISON (pp. 15-16)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.9
    • HAIKU
      HAIKU (pp. 17-18)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.10
    • FOR FRECKLE-FACED GERALD
      FOR FRECKLE-FACED GERALD (pp. 19-19)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.11
    • THE WARDEN SAID TO ME THE OTHER DAY
      THE WARDEN SAID TO ME THE OTHER DAY (pp. 20-20)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.12
    • MY LIFE, THE QUALITY OF WHICH
      MY LIFE, THE QUALITY OF WHICH (pp. 21-21)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.13
    • A POEM FOR BLACK RELOCATION CENTERS
      A POEM FOR BLACK RELOCATION CENTERS (pp. 22-22)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.14
  5. 2
    • YOU ARE
      YOU ARE (pp. 25-25)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.15
    • THE VIOLENT SPACE (or when your sister sleeps around for money)
      THE VIOLENT SPACE (or when your sister sleeps around for money) (pp. 26-27)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.16
    • A POEM FOR A CERTAIN LADY ON HER 33rd BIRTHDAY
      A POEM FOR A CERTAIN LADY ON HER 33rd BIRTHDAY (pp. 28-28)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.17
    • THE STRETCHING OF THE BELLY
      THE STRETCHING OF THE BELLY (pp. 29-29)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.18
    • AS YOU LEAVE ME
      AS YOU LEAVE ME (pp. 30-30)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.19
    • NO MOON FLOODS THE MEMORY OF THAT NIGHT
      NO MOON FLOODS THE MEMORY OF THAT NIGHT (pp. 31-31)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.20
    • UPON YOUR LEAVING
      UPON YOUR LEAVING (pp. 32-33)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.21
    • FEELING FUCKED UP
      FEELING FUCKED UP (pp. 34-34)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.22
    • INDIANA HAIKU—2
      INDIANA HAIKU—2 (pp. 35-35)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.23
    • FOR LANGSTON HUGHES
      FOR LANGSTON HUGHES (pp. 36-36)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.24
    • WELCOME BACK, MR. KNIGHT: LOVE OF MY LIFE
      WELCOME BACK, MR. KNIGHT: LOVE OF MY LIFE (pp. 37-38)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.25
    • ANOTHER POEM FOR ME (after Recovering from an O.D.)
      ANOTHER POEM FOR ME (after Recovering from an O.D.) (pp. 39-39)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.26
    • THE BONES OF MY FATHER
      THE BONES OF MY FATHER (pp. 40-41)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.27
    • EVOLUTIONARY POEM NO. 1
      EVOLUTIONARY POEM NO. 1 (pp. 42-42)
      Etheridge Knight
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.28
    • EVOLUTIONARY POEM NO. 2
      EVOLUTIONARY POEM NO. 2 (pp. 42-42)
      Etheridge Knight
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.29
  6. 3
    • A POEM FOR MYSELF (or Blues for a Mississippi Black Boy)
      A POEM FOR MYSELF (or Blues for a Mississippi Black Boy) (pp. 45-45)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.30
    • REPORT TO THE MOTHER
      REPORT TO THE MOTHER (pp. 46-46)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.31
    • THE SUN CAME
      THE SUN CAME (pp. 47-47)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.32
    • IT WAS A FUNKY DEAL
      IT WAS A FUNKY DEAL (pp. 48-48)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.33
    • DARK PROPHECY: I SING OF SHINE
      DARK PROPHECY: I SING OF SHINE (pp. 49-49)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.34
    • FOR MALCOLM, A YEAR AFTER
      FOR MALCOLM, A YEAR AFTER (pp. 50-50)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.35
    • A POEM OF ATTRITION
      A POEM OF ATTRITION (pp. 51-51)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.36
    • FOR BLACK POETS WHO THINK OF SUICIDE
      FOR BLACK POETS WHO THINK OF SUICIDE (pp. 52-52)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.37
    • FOR MARY ELLEN McANALLY
      FOR MARY ELLEN McANALLY (pp. 53-53)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.38
    • THE KEEPING OF A PROMISE
      THE KEEPING OF A PROMISE (pp. 54-54)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.39
    • ILU, THE TALKING DRUM
      ILU, THE TALKING DRUM (pp. 55-56)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.40
    • POEM FOR THE LIBERATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
      POEM FOR THE LIBERATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (pp. 57-58)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.41
    • TELEVISION SPEAKS
      TELEVISION SPEAKS (pp. 59-59)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.42
    • ON WATCHING POLITICIANS PERFORM AT MARTIN LUTHER KING’S FUNERAL
      ON WATCHING POLITICIANS PERFORM AT MARTIN LUTHER KING’S FUNERAL (pp. 60-60)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.43
  7. 4
    • A FABLE
      A FABLE (pp. 63-63)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.44

      Once upon a today and yesterday and nevermore there were 7 men and women all locked / up in prison cells. Now these 7 men and women were innocent of any crimes; they were in prison because their skins were black. Day after day, the prisoners paced their cells, pining for their freedom. And the non-black jailers would laugh at the prisoners and beat them with sticks and throw their food on the floor. Finally, prisoner #1 said, “I will educate myself and emulate the non-colored people. That is the way to freedom—c’mon, you guys, and follow me.” “Hell,...

    • MEMO #9
      MEMO #9 (pp. 64-64)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.45
    • MEMO #32
      MEMO #32 (pp. 64-64)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.46
    • MEMO #2
      MEMO #2 (pp. 65-65)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.47
    • MEMO #5
      MEMO #5 (pp. 65-65)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.48
    • PORTRAIT OF MARY
      PORTRAIT OF MARY (pp. 66-66)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.49
    • MY UNCLE IS MY HONOR AND A GUEST IN MY HOUSE
      MY UNCLE IS MY HONOR AND A GUEST IN MY HOUSE (pp. 67-68)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.50
    • I AND YOUR EYES
      I AND YOUR EYES (pp. 69-69)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.51
    • ON THE BIRTH OF A BLACK / BABY / BOY
      ON THE BIRTH OF A BLACK / BABY / BOY (pp. 70-71)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.52
    • BIRTHDAY POEM
      BIRTHDAY POEM (pp. 72-72)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.53
    • COP-OUT SESSION
      COP-OUT SESSION (pp. 73-73)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.54
    • A POEM TO GALWAY KINNELL
      A POEM TO GALWAY KINNELL (pp. 74-75)
      Etheridge Knight
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.55
    • MISSOURI HAIKU
      MISSOURI HAIKU (pp. 76-76)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.56
    • INDIANA HAIKU
      INDIANA HAIKU (pp. 77-77)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.57
    • WE FREE SINGERS BE
      WE FREE SINGERS BE (pp. 78-79)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.58
    • TALKING IN THE WOODS WITH KARL AMORELLI
      TALKING IN THE WOODS WITH KARL AMORELLI (pp. 80-81)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.59
    • BOSTON 5:00 A.M.–10/74
      BOSTON 5:00 A.M.–10/74 (pp. 82-82)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.60
    • A POEM ON THE MIDDLE EAST “PEACE PROCESS”
      A POEM ON THE MIDDLE EAST “PEACE PROCESS” (pp. 83-83)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.61
    • HAIKU 1
      HAIKU 1 (pp. 84-84)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.62
    • MEMO #43
      MEMO #43 (pp. 84-84)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.63
    • AND TELL ME POET, CAN LOVE EXIST IN SLAVERY?
      AND TELL ME POET, CAN LOVE EXIST IN SLAVERY? (pp. 85-85)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.64
    • GREEN GRASS AND YELLOW BALLOONS
      GREEN GRASS AND YELLOW BALLOONS (pp. 86-87)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.65
    • BELLY SONG
      BELLY SONG (pp. 88-91)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.66
    • APOLOGY FOR APOSTASY?
      APOLOGY FOR APOSTASY? (pp. 92-92)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.67
    • CON/TIN/U/WAY/SHUN BLUES
      CON/TIN/U/WAY/SHUN BLUES (pp. 93-94)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.68
  8. 5
    • ON SEEING THE BLACK MALE AS # 1 SEX OBJECT IN AMERICA
      ON SEEING THE BLACK MALE AS # 1 SEX OBJECT IN AMERICA (pp. 97-97)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.69
    • LAST WORDS BY “SLICK” (or a self / sung eulogy)
      LAST WORDS BY “SLICK” (or a self / sung eulogy) (pp. 98-98)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.70
    • HAIKU
      HAIKU (pp. 99-101)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.71
    • GENESIS 11
      GENESIS 11 (pp. 102-102)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.72
    • EAT HELEN B HAPPY (a found poem)
      EAT HELEN B HAPPY (a found poem) (pp. 103-103)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.73
    • VARIOUS PROTESTATIONS FROM VARIOUS PEOPLE
      VARIOUS PROTESTATIONS FROM VARIOUS PEOPLE (pp. 104-104)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.74
    • AT A VA HOSPITAL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: AN ACT IN A PLAY
      AT A VA HOSPITAL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: AN ACT IN A PLAY (pp. 105-107)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.75
    • ON THE PROJECTS PLAYGROUND
      ON THE PROJECTS PLAYGROUND (pp. 108-108)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.76
    • CIRCLING THE DAUGHTER
      CIRCLING THE DAUGHTER (pp. 109-109)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.77
    • FOR A BROOKLINE LADY I LOVE
      FOR A BROOKLINE LADY I LOVE (pp. 110-110)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.78
    • ONCE ON A NIGHT IN THE DELTA: A REPORT FROM HELL
      ONCE ON A NIGHT IN THE DELTA: A REPORT FROM HELL (pp. 111-111)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.79
    • A BLACK POET LEAPS TO HIS DEATH
      A BLACK POET LEAPS TO HIS DEATH (pp. 112-113)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.80
    • REHABILITATION & TREATMENT IN THE PRISONS OF AMERICA
      REHABILITATION & TREATMENT IN THE PRISONS OF AMERICA (pp. 114-114)
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.81

      The Convict strolled into the prison administration building to get assistance and counseling for his personal problems. Inside the main door were several other doors proclaiming: Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher, Counselor, Therapist, etc. He chose the proper door, and was confronted with two more doors: Custody and Treatment. He chose Treatment, went in, and was confronted with two more doors: First Offender and Previous Offender. Again he chose the proper door and was confronted with twomoredoors: Adult and Juvenile. He was an adult, so he walked through that door and ran smack into twomoredoors: Democrat and Republican....

  9. Back Matter
    Back Matter (pp. 115-115)
    https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wrb5v.82