A collection of poems that sing out like spirituals from the heart of the poet. She writes of love and loneliness, childhood and womanhood, communication, rejection, fairness and justice; of Africa waking up and America still sleeping.

Pickin' em up and layin' em down -- Here's to adhering -- On reaching forty -- The telephone -- Passing time -- Now long ago -- Greyday -- Poor girl -- Come. and be my baby -- Senses of insecurity -- Alone -- Communication I -- Communication II -- Wonder -- A conceit -- Request -- Africa -- America -- For us, who dare not dare -- Lord, in my heart -- Artful pose -- The couple -- The pusher -- Chicken-Licken -- I almost remember -- Prisoner -- Woman me -- John J. -- Southeast Arkansia -- Song for the old ones -- Child dead in old seas -- Take time out -- Elegy -- Reverses -- Little girl speakings -- This winter day.