Renowned African-American, lesbian-feminist poet and performer Pat Parker wrote five collections of poetry during her lifetime, Jonestown & Other Madness, Movement in Black, Womanslaughter, Pit Stop, and Child of Myself. Parker' s poems appeared in numerous journals, newspapers, and anthologies, and are collected in The Complete Works of Pat Parker.

Known for her electric performances of her poems, including on the album Where Would I Be Without You from Olivia Records and Lesbian Concentrate, Parker enchanted audiences with her fire for justice and her belief in change. Parker' s most loved poems are now collected in this accessible volume. Essential Poems by Pat Parker introduces new audiences to Parker' s fire, passion, tenderness, and vision for the world.