Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Brooks was the first black author to win the Pulitzer Prize, first black woman to be poetry consultant to Library of Congress in 1985, and the Poet Laureate for state of Illinois in 1968. Her writing took on a more political edge later in her life. She continued to use her knowledge of African American culture and injustice to color a number of her poems. Brooks also addresses many issues about society and what it expects from the average person.

What I found interesting was her ability to captivate the reader through raw imagery and paradoxical or shocking phrases. Brooks clearly has had a lot of practice with poetry, because she twists around usage of poetical devices for her own, slightly bizarre, purposes. The message in each poem is unique, presented in layers of symbolism, and uncommon to write about. Though her most common messages deal with black injustice and feminism, she does not rehash the old thoughts- rather, she demonstrates work that keeps up with the modern generation.

Brooks has written over 20 books of poetry. She was born in Topeka, Kansas, in 1917, but moved to Chicago. She stayed there until her death, in December 3, 2000.

For more info:

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/165

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/gwendolyn-brooks