Martin Wiley Boeken

Set against the backdrop of contemporary America, the narrative explores the struggles of Martin Wiley, a poet and father, who longs for lighthearted moments with his children amid the harsh realities of violence against Black communities. The work resonates with the voices of notable poets like Etheridge Knight and Langston Hughes, capturing a poignant blend of tenderness and rage as Wiley grapples with the weight of societal issues and the desire to shield his family from the grim realities outside.

A coming-of-age collection set to the music of the 1980s and 90s.This novel in poetic form tells the story of a young man dealing with the challenges of growing up mixed-race in 1980s suburbia. In this time of change, both for himself and the world around him, he seeks to “remember / just when I stopped being cute…”Narrating run-ins with the police (“The minute they see me, fear me”) and confrontations with himself, the speaker in this collection must learn to navigate a world that sees him as a threat. When Did We Stop Being Cute? reflects on the beauty and horrors of life in the United States, telling a personal story that shows Black lives and how they matter.