The poems in this collection were written between 2007 and 2020. When
asked to describe the poems here, Ishmael Reed wrote:
' The poems are based on events that occurred around the house to
cataclysmic space events. Some of the poems were commissioned. "Moving
Richmond" was part of
a public art installation created by Mildred Howard. The poem, in huge
letters forged into weathering steel billboards greets passengers who
enter the new Bay Area mass transit hub in Richmond. Other poems were
commissioned by musicians. "Hope Is The Thing With Feathers" was
performed by Gregory Porter. "Red Summer, 2015" appeared in print first
and then was set to music by David Murray. The longest poem in the book,
"Jazz Martyrs," was begun when I learned about the number of black Jazz
greats who didn't live past the age of forty. I have been fortunate to
live beyond the age of 80. I've found out who my best friends are. The
ones who got me there.'