The Essential Etheridge Knight

Was driven to read it cover to cover like a great novel. Many different voices eminating from the vast mind and heart of Mr. Knight. From Hard Rock to Ibu, the songs in this book should be heard by everyone.

The poem Belly Song is one of the most powerful and beautiful poems I have ever read. I have a recording of Knight reading it, and it is even more stunning when spoken. This is one of my favorite volumes of poetry that I own.

fist discovered him as a sophmore in college, in an anthology called " the black poets " then read "belly song" and "the essential etheridge knight..." while some of his poetry related to his prision experience, he never allowed his mind to become a prison, so he was always free. you can't go wrong with any of the poems in this collection; my personal favorites are "the idea of ancestry," and " he sees through stone." with words as thick as mississippi mud, etheridge " sang" america. Give them hell in heaven, dude...

This man, along with many others, ignited my love for verse and truly showed the humbleness and humility of man. He was born a boy in Mississippi, then became a man of addictions, and then later was raised as a college graduate and award winning author. Poetry can and will be rehabilitating, if we let it. Rest in Peace Brother Etheridge

A haunting collection of poems by the late poet laureate of prison poetry. While most poems conjure up images which capture the plight of the african-amercian male as he struggles with his own sense of purpose and conflicting images and desires, the poems will resonate with all men regardless of their heritage. A beautifull collection from an American original.