Date of Award

Spring 2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

English

Program/Concentration

Creative Writing

Committee Director

Luisa Igloria

Committee Member

Timothy Seibles

Committee Member

David Metzger

Call Number for Print

Special Collections ; LD4331.E64 G68 2006

Abstract

This collection of poems explores the anticipated reality against that which is real in my world. These poems defy the normal explanations of life in order to explore what it means to be a woman—more specifically a black woman who was raised in a single parent home. I took on the characteristics of my mother, whether I desired to or not; I took in her salt and seasoned myself with her sweet sometimes, sour flavor. These poems not only deal with my own perceptions of myself but also those that others have of me. I struggle with my true nationality, which was hidden from me for many years. I had to search the fragments of my past to discover my own identity. As a result of this discovery, these poems share the recurring theme of discovery. I attempt to answer the questions of what it means to be a black woman, the under dog, the unknown voice echoing in the walls of America; a child silenced, an observer of the ill-treatment of others including strangers and family members alike. Black Salt is a collection of poems that explores the items beneath the exterior. In the first section of this collection I present the sensual side of myself, while exploring different ways of experiencing/ defining love. The second section explores family: the sour and the sweet. The final section of this collection is dedicated to writing and identity. This section also shows how my background has contributed to my writing.

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DOI

10.25777/xwef-8915

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