Themes of Alice Walker’s Poetry

Alice walker, the prominent figure in African American literature, has the Midas touch in different genres of literature. Her versatility is evident as she shines as a novelist, short-story writer, poet, essayist, critic and editor. She knitted together art with activism and never wanted to keep aloof from the sour experiences of reality. Her protest through words and deeds were for the downtrodden and the marginalized. Walker‟s poetry is a marvelous composition, which unveils personal meditations on depression, isolation, pregnancy and public calls for revolution for women and people of colour. But her poetry is admired for its ability to tap into universal truths and emotions common to all people regardless of colour or gender. The simple form and diction is blended with contemporary social issues so as to maintain an organic whole for her poetry. The poems shower vehement criticism on the social evils and exhort men to act against the atrocities prevailed in the society. The blend of feminism is evident in her poems and she applies the word “Wasichu” to address who is racist, sexist, classist and environmentally insensitive. Walker‟s poetry happens to be revolutionary and she thinks that art can bring changes in the society. According to her, art is life, which can enforce the weak and challenge the atrocities. The arms race and bloodshed in the name of defense and security demolishes the life and property of innocent men. The language of her poetry is simple and vivid that the readers can get the exact picture in their mind. The inner voices of man and the chaos of the outside world are marvelously depicted in her poems. The poetry of Alice Walker is relevant in the modern world which is devoid of love and makes streams of blood and mounts of corpses. Her poems protest against the evils and pervade the fragrance of peace and harmony.