Mapping Self in Yusef Komunyakaa’s Poetry
Abstract
Yusef Komuyakka is an African-American poet who received many prizes for his contribution in poetry.in eleven collections of poetry he introduces a very unique and interesting jazz poetry which combines aesthetic ideals with moral ones. His poetry is addressed to themes of war, love, and racism. The subject matters of his poems ranges from portraying the experiences and suffering of black southern men in Bogalusa, and his experiences as a soldier in Vietnam War. Kommyyakka tries to move outside these experiences in an attempt to be alienated from the limitation of self and identity. Essentially, His voice is not signifying himself but a universal voice that is addressed to all human beings.
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