Date of Award

Spring 5-2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.F.A.

Degree Program

Creative Writing

Department

English

Major Professor

Carolyn Hembree

Second Advisor

Kay Murphy

Third Advisor

John Gery

Abstract

Black poets have long explored the effects of grief and tragedy through their work while also navigating the challenges of a racist American society. This manuscript delves into those themes as the poet examines how she, her family, and romantic interests operate within those strange spheres as well. She explores the unique intimacy of grief and social isolation as she shows us what it means to be a Black woman in a racist and capitalistic society. Her work reveals the pain of operating within those structures and the devastating emotional toll it can take on the Black family.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

Available for download on Sunday, May 31, 2026

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Poetry Commons

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