Dear Faithful Readers:

I’ve been writing for a long time. And finally, I’ve published my debut collection of poetry we be theorizin, which can be purchased anywhere books are sold or directly at this link here. I hope you purchase my work, especially if you enjoy what I’ve provided via my blog site. 

In the meantime, below is a Q&A should you find yourself questioning (read: wondering) about my literary moves:

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WHAT IS we be theorizin?

we be theorizin: black poiēsis no. 1. vol. 44 is a collection of haikus, tankas, sonnets, free verse, and spoken word poems written in the Black Arts Movement tradition. Compiled of 44 poems, thus marking the age at which poet Kendra Nicole Bryant Aya collected her debut work, we be theorizin reflects the protest of the Black Arts and Civil Rights Movements, while giving homage to the theoretical dexterity from which Black feminism and womanism was born. We be theorizin is organized into three parts: “thru morning pulses”; “we be theorizin”; and “Black life unexpected”—each of which includes a prose essay as introductory matter to the poems compiled in each section. From poems acknowledging the Black Lives Matter Movement to others recalling 20th century Black literature and critical race thoughts, we be theorizin loves on Black culture, while talkin b(l)ack to the empire.

WHY IS YOUR POETRY COLLECTION CALLED we be theorizin?

Firstly, we be theorizin is inspired by Barbara Christian’s 1987 “The Race for Theory” essay, which argues that Black folks’ Black English and narrative making are the ways through which Black folks theorize. In this seminal essay, Christian also argues that creative writing, which Black folks’ mother tongues naturally do, is a theoretical practice, thereby informing Black as a race for theory. Secondly, we be theorizin acknowledges all the Black creators, including our ancestors, whose creative genius grounds my own.

WHAT DOES POIESIS MEAN?

According to Google’s AI Overview:

Poiesis is an ancient Greek word that means “to make” or “creation.” It has multiple meanings and uses, including: 

• A philosophical concept: In ancient Greek philosophy, poiesis is the process of creation through artistic, intellectual, or imaginative efforts. It’s rooted in the work of Plato and Aristotle, who emphasized the importance of creativity in human understanding. 
• A suffix: The combining form “-poiesis” is used as a suffix to mean “making” or “formation.” It’s often used in scientific terms, such as in the biological term hematopoiesis, which means “the formation of blood cells.” 
• A term for poetry: Poiesis is the root of the word “poetry.” The term “poesy” was commonly used to describe verse until the early 20th century. 
• A theory of making: Poiesis is the act of creating objects as a result of integrative comprehensions. 
• A concept in Heidegger’s argument: Heidegger used the idea of poiesis to distinguish between old and modern technologies. He argued that technology is a way of revealing or bringing something into existence. 

WHAT DOES NO. 1 VOL. 44 MEAN?

No. 1 signifies my first poetry collection, and 44 regards the age at which I published my collection. Additionally, the collection is made up of 44 poems.

WHY DO YOU INCLUDE ENDNOTES IN THE BACK OF YOUR COLLECTION?

Endnotes support readers’ reading comprehension, appreciation, and research. They also further familiarize yourself with me as both reader and writer as well as scholar. If you’re like me, whenever I read a poem, I wonder what or who inspired the poet. Other times I read a poem, I have no idea what the writer wants me to intellectually comprehend. Thus, to mitigate any confusions, I’ve included over 100 endnotes intended to support your reading. However, I do suggest readers first feel each poem before trying to intellectualize them. I also suggest readers read each poem out loud.

WHO PUBLISHED YOUR BOOK?

My book was self-published by my publishing company, BOMBS Publishing. BOMBS Publishing is an independently owned, non-profit publishing house that supports poetry, creative non-fiction, and children’s books written by Black women. You may purchase copies of we be theorizin there along with other merch.

HOW MUCH DOES YOUR BOOK COST?

we be theorizin is a mere $21. before taxes and shipping and handling costs.