In Your Crib
Two black men: the poet, an elder and veteran of last century’s civil rights movement; and a nameless youth, swaggering and beltless, seduced by guns-and-gangs and expensive cars, and perpetually targeted by police. They are brothers by the colour of their skin, neighbours in the same “crib,” yet separated by a lifetime of experience. Invoking memories of his personal encounters with leaders like Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael and Amiri Baraka, the poet berates his heir for dropping the torch, and regrets his own failure to protect, inspire and speak out on the young man’s behalf. In the tradition of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song,” In Your Crib is a lyrical plea, both indictment and lamentation, and a powerful account of the ongoing struggle for racial equality.
Austin Clarke is a novelist, short story writer and poet born in Barbados.
Other publications from this author include:
- Where The Sun Shines Best (2013)
- They Never Told Me: and Other Stories (2013)
- More (2009)
- Choosing His Coffin: The Best Stories of Austin Clarke (2003)
- The Polished Hoe (2002)
- The Question (1999)
- The Origin of Waves (1997)
- The Austin Clarke Reader (1996)
- Canadian Experience (1994)
- There Are No Elders (1993)
- In This City (1992)
- Proud Empires (1988)
- Nine Men Who Laughed (1986)
- When Women Rule (1985)
- Prime Minister (1977)
- The Bigger Light (1975)
- Storm of Fortune (1973)
- When He Was Free and Young and He Used to Wear Silks (1971)
- The Meeting Point (1967)
- Amongst Thistles and Thorns (1965)
- The Survivors of the Crossing (1964)