Bicycles

In her legendary career, artist and activist Nikki Giovanni has established herself as a writer who can entertain and challenge, and a voice for social justice who can inform and inspire in times of national crisis. Controversial, revolutionary, ethereal, or illuminating, her poems about race, Black lives, violence, gender, and family move readers of all ages and backgrounds. With BICYCLES, she’s collected poems that serve as a companion to her 1997 LOVE POEMS. An instant classic, that book—romantic, bold, and erotic—expressed notions of love in ways that were delightfully unexpected. In the years that followed, Giovanni experienced losses both public and private. A mother’s passing, a sister’s, too. A massacre on the campus at which she teaches. And just when it seemed life was spinning out of control, Giovanni rediscovered love—what she calls the antidote. Here romantic love—and all its manifestations, the physical touch, the emotional pull, the hungry heart—is distilled as never before by one of our most talented poets. In a time of national crisis or personal crisis, this is a collection that will open minds and change hearts as only the best art can. "If there was a need for poetry that galvanized and inspired, there was also a demand for poetry that comforted and unified — and Ms. Giovanni provided on both counts." — The Washington Post Grief and Resilience: Navigating the landscape of personal loss and public tragedy, from the passing of her mother to the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shooting, Giovanni finds strength in verse. The Antidote of Love: A bold and heartfelt exploration of romantic love in all its forms—the physical touch, the emotional pull, and the hungry heart that finds its cure in connection. A Voice for Social Justice: Continuing her legacy as a vital activist, this collection includes powerful poems on race, Black lives, and the ongoing fight for equality. Iconic American Poet: From a celebrated figure in the Black Arts Movement, this collection serves as a powerful companion to her beloved 1997 classic, LOVE POEMS.