Sweet Solitude

New and selected poems on love, faith, and the African American experience.

New and selected poems on love, faith, and the African American experience.

Drawing deeply from the well of the African American experience, Leonard Slade's poetry addresses a wide variety of subjects and themes, from beauty, family, and nature to racism, religion, and politics. Running throughout, however, are the importance of love, faith, and the human need to be connected to others. Included in Sweet Solitude are new poems, previously uncollected in book form, as well as selections from the author's twelve volumes of previously published poetry. These are poems of celebration and endurance for all readers.

Leonard A. Slade Jr. is Professor and Chair of the Department of Africana Studies, Director of the Doctor of Arts in Humanistic Studies Program, and Director of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program at the University at Albany, State University of New York. He has published in many journals and magazines and is the author of fifteen books, including eleven books of poetry: Another Black Voice: A Different Drummer, The Beauty of Blackness, I Fly Like a Bird, The Whipping Song, Vintage, Fire Burning, Pure Light, Neglecting the Flowers, Lilacs in Spring, Elisabeth and Other Poems, and For the Love of Freedom.

Leonard A. Slade Jr. is Professor of Africana Studies, Adjunct Professor of English, Past Director of the Humanistic Studies Doctoral Program and the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program, Collins Fellow, and Citizen Academic Laureate at the University at Albany–SUNY. He has published in many journals and magazines and is the author of thirteen books of poetry: Jazz After Dinner, also published by SUNY Press; Triumph; Another Black Voice: A Different Drummer; The Beauty of Blackness; I Fly Like a Bird; The Whipping Song; Vintage; Fire Burning; Pure Light; Neglecting the Flowers; Lilacs in Spring; Elisabeth and Other Poems; and For the Love of Freedom. He lives with his wife in Albany, New York

Praise for the poetry of Leonard A. Slade Jr.

"When beautiful poetry emerges from its secret abode, we can only hope we have been wise enough to leave our soul's door ajar, and that it will enter and find a home there. I have read [Leonard Slade's] poetry, and I am the better for it, the wiser for it, and the happier for it." — Maya Angelou

"A rhythmical and powerful voice we will long remember." — Thelma Kiser, The Daily Independent (Ashland, Kentucky)

"Authentic and joyous celebrations of the human spirit." — Ruthe Sheffey, Morgan State University

"The beauty of Slade's poetry is the adequacy of their feeling and the fine images he discovers for their expressions. His poetry is a rich addition to our literary stores." — Houston A. Baker Jr., Vanderbilt University

"In spare, unpretentious verse Slade asks us to think about racism, history, love, the beauty of nature, the homeless, old teachers, young daughters, political hypocrisy—and more. These are splendid, moving poems." — Elizabeth Ammons, Tufts University

"Slade's poetry can pierce the heart or kiss the soul." — Kate Stephens, playwright and musician, Lexington, Kentucky

"Slade"s style flows easily from the freewheeling rhythm and call-and-response feel of 'The Country Preacher's Folk Prayer' to the spare, aloof lines of 'Cat.' With clarity and grace, his poems evoke familial pride, faith, and appreciation for those small moments that recollect beauty and kindness." — Nadine M. Knight, Whitman College

"'The Vision of America' in Sweet Solitude is a masterpiece, inspired by the greatest historic moment in my lifetime. Slade expresses his feelings in moving pieces of art." — Edythe Scott Bagley, sister of Coretta Scott King