Her words were always her words, her voice was always evident in each word she put to paper. I heard her speak at a Writer's Workshop seminar at the University of Cincinnati when I was a senior in High School. She shares the same birthday as another one of my favorites (Prince)and she writes about her experiences as a person of color and as a product of her enviroment. Everyone comes from some place, and in her works you will get to see this place and meet the people and part of you will feel as if you grew up with her. This is a definite must have for anyone looking for the best of the comtemporary poets. You won't be disappointed.