Terrance Hayes

GEORGE MOSES HORTON (c. 1798–c. 1883) George Moses Horton is the only American to publish a book while living in slavery. In his poem “On Hearing Of The Intention Of A Gentleman To Purchase The Poet’s Freedom,” Horton summoned something grand to say about his ...

It feels sadder when a black person says Nigga Because it sounds like Nigger. It feels sadder When a brother or sister says Nigga because It sounds like Nigger. I have never heard either Word in the mouth of my mother or father. Once I had a lover who said neither word Out loud. ...

When walking hope is a swagger When sleeping hope is a lullaby When breathing hope is oxygen When drunk hope is liquor When dirty hope is water When unfilled hope is a well When unwell hope is medicine When impatient hope is patience When lonely hope is company When poor hope is ...

Dear Ol’ Dirty Bastard: I, too, like it raw, I don’t especially care for Duke Ellington at a birthday party. I care less and less about the shapes of shapes because forms change and nothing is more durable than feeling. My uncle used the money I gave him to buy a few ...