4 FRONT COVER_SELECTED POEMS_Pat Parker_R1.jpg
4 FRONT COVER_SELECTED POEMS_Pat Parker_R1.jpg

Selected Poems

£16.99

by Pat Parker
Edited by SaraEllen Strongman

'Her Black Woman’s voice rings true and deep and gentle, with an iron echo. It is merciless and vulnerable and far ranging.' —Audre Lorde

Alongside her invaluable contributions to social justice, Pat Parker (1944-1989) wrote five collections of poetry during her lifetime and is widely recognised as one of the leading African-American, lesbian-feminist voices of the 20th Century.

Selected Poems collects her most loved works into an accessible volume, introducing new readers to Parker's fire for justice, tenderness, and vision for the world.

This is the first time Pat Parker's poetry has been published in the United Kingdom.

Readers interested in Pat Parker’s life may also enjoy The Letters of Audre Lorde and Pat Parker 1974–1989, an archival work documenting their intimate friendship and important work as activist-poets.

by Pat Parker
Edited by SaraEllen Strongman

'Her Black Woman’s voice rings true and deep and gentle, with an iron echo. It is merciless and vulnerable and far ranging.' —Audre Lorde

Alongside her invaluable contributions to social justice, Pat Parker (1944-1989) wrote five collections of poetry during her lifetime and is widely recognised as one of the leading African-American, lesbian-feminist voices of the 20th Century.

Selected Poems collects her most loved works into an accessible volume, introducing new readers to Parker's fire for justice, tenderness, and vision for the world.

This is the first time Pat Parker's poetry has been published in the United Kingdom.

Readers interested in Pat Parker’s life may also enjoy The Letters of Audre Lorde and Pat Parker 1974–1989, an archival work documenting their intimate friendship and important work as activist-poets.

the87press Poetry Book Subscription 2025-6
the87press Poetry Book Subscription 2025-6
£80.99
The Letters of Audre Lorde and Pat Parker 1974-1989
The Letters of Audre Lorde and Pat Parker 1974-1989
£14.99

Praise:

‘The kind of poems that breathe life through the lungs of their readers.’ —Mona Kareem, Los Angeles Review of Books

‘Read and be transformed.’ —Elaine Mitchener

‘Parker’s poems conduct a search for others, building meaningful solidarity across difference whilst prioritising an expression of the sweetness of being alive.’ —Lola Olufemi

‘Parker's poetic voice is metamorphic—she is cultural critic, comedian, sociologist and historian of her turbulent present.’ —Jay Bernard

‘The poetry of Pat Parker reaches out to us anew and shakes our consciousness—fiercely.’ —Cheryl Clarke, author of An Archive of Style

‘We have never needed Parker’s work more than NOW. It is absolutely immediate, searing, salving, saving, and NECESSARY.’ —Kazim Ali, author of The Voice of Sheila Chandra

‘Her Black Woman’s voice rings true and deep and gentle, with an iron echo. It is merciless and vulnerable and far ranging.’ —Audre Lorde

Bio:

Pat Parker (1944-1989) was the author of five volumes of poetry, including Movement in Black, Jonestown & Other Madness, and Woman Slaughter. Parker was born in Houston, TX, in 1944 and moved to Los Angeles, CA after she graduated high school. She lived in the San Francisco bay area from 1965 until her death. Parker died in 1989 from complications of cancer. Her partner of nine years, Martha Dunham, and their daughter, Anastasia Dunham-Parker-Brady, survived her as well as Cassidy Brown who she co-parented.

ISBN: 9781068488009
161 pages
Date published: 07/05/2026
B-format paperback

For fans of: Audre Lorde, June Jordan, Amiri Baraka