Ashley Jordan

Eng 325
December 8, 2015
Non-Canonical Poet
Sandra Laraine Coleman is an African-American female poet who is
deeply connected to her ancestral roots, as is depicted in her poetry. She was
born on March 12, 1962. From an early age, she has been attracted to the
spoken word art form, thus inspiring her to create her own lyrical rhymes.
Coleman describes herself as a parent, poetess, spoken word artist, and selfpublished author. She began her college experience at El Camino Community
College in 2011 as an ethnic studies African-American history major. In 2013, she
transferred to California State University of Dominguez Hills seeking her degree
in Africana History and Literature. Colemans poem, I Wanna, should be
canonized in the next edition of Sound & Sense because of its descriptive
imagery, historical soundness, and cultural relevance.
In 2011, Coleman published her poetry book entitled There Aint Nothing
to Do But Breathe. It is a collection of lyrical rhymes that reflect her culture and
personal experiences. As a poet, she uses many references to historical African
events and traditions. Typically, she writes in lyrical free verse, meaning her
poems have no traditional structure or rhyme scheme, however, it flows with
internal rhyme that helps emphasize meaning. Punctuation marks and Standard
English are not always present in her works, suggesting that her poems are

mostly continuous form. She speaks in a down-home, Southern slang that is

relatable to her target audience.
I Wanna is an allusion poem that illustrates the speakers desire to
intimately connect with the past. An allusion is defined as a reference, explicit or
implicit, to something in literature or history. In this case, the reference is made in
terms of African historical experience. Throughout the poem, the speaker
highlights key events in black history dating back to slavery times. In the opening
stanza, the tone is very reflective as images of the past are described. /from
shackled ankles/ to back doors/ and bein black in back of buses/ (lines 3-5) all
draw on imagery. The speaker is describing a period in black history where
slaves were shackled to one anothers ankles, to when they had to use back
doors to gain access to white establishments, and to the only place they could
occupy on a bus. The images portrayed appeal to the readers senses. They are
visual, but one can also imagine the implication of a rattling sound coming from
the chains that are shackled to the ankles of the slaves, suggesting an auditory
image. Additional imagery, such as kinesthetic or movement can be seen in the
lines, /i will be spiritual salve/ placed on scarred/ southern trees/ and walk
barefoot/ in the soil where/ ur soul was laid to rest/ (lines 9-14). One can argue
that these lines also hint at organic (internal sensation) imagery. The visuals
described show the speakers desire to be the healing of the past.
Colemans use of historical soundness contributes to the central purpose
of the poem. The intent of I wanna is to reflect, remember, and connect to the
past through allusions of historical black events. The effect of these images,

along with the refrain i wanna, encourages the reader to appreciate the past by
experiencing it through their senses. /i wanna see everywhere/ uve been/ (lines
15-16) is another visual image prompted by the word see. The historical event
illustrated in this stanza is the slave trade of Africans. Through the descriptive
words, the reader can visualize the bartering of people who were sold as if they
were property. The images appeals to the readers sense of emotion. One can
argue that Colemans use of language and images categorize her as a
sentimental poet. However, as stated in Sound & Sense, sentimentalists aim to
stimulate the emotions of the reader directly rather than communicating an
experience, which Coleman achieves.
As a poet, Coleman uses alliteration often to accentuate a meaning.
Alliteration is the repetition at close intervals of the initial consonant sounds of
accented syllables or important words. /wanderin the wilderness/ workin waste til
its wealth/ and warriors wigglin/ way down in our womb/ (lines 37-40). The
repetition of the /w/ sound is an example use of alliteration. Poets use this device
to please the ear of the reader, as well to emphasize the words in which the
repetition occurs.
I Wanna is structured in continuous form meaning the lines follow
each other without formal grouping, however, it is separated by stanzas. This
separation dictates a change in thought or idea. Notice the beginning of each
stanza, /i wanna/ is followed by a different action (understand, see, feel, say).
This distinction emphasizes the different thoughts and desires presented by the
speaker. This refrain also appeals to the readers senses. Each separate thought

or action can be interpreted as a type of imagery, which Coleman excels at

portraying.
As stated in Perrines Sound and Sense, poetry appeals directly to our
senses. This is accomplished not only by its sounds and rhythm, but also in the
images projected. I Wanna depicts images touch, taste, internal sensation, and
movement. The organic, internal sensation, imagery is present throughout the
refrain /i wanna/. The desire and longing of the speaker is a feeling experienced
internally. /dance till my/ feet have memorized/ every twist and turn/ is an
example of kinesthetic imagery. The reader can visually see the speaker dancing.
Auditory imagery is an image that represent a sound. One can argue that the
refrain in the beginning of stanza four, /i wanna say everythin/, is an auditory
image of the speaker voicing an utterance or thought. The imagery expressing
taste appears in line 5 of the final stanza, /sip sacred tea/. Poetry that can be
evaluated and dissected not only for its meaning, but for other poetic elements is
beneficial for students, which serves as another reason Colemans poem should
be canonized.
Connotation and denotation is another poetic element that can be
explored in this poem. Denotation is the basic dictionary meaning of a word and
connotation is what a word suggests. For example, in line 9 the speaker says, /i
will b spiritual salve/ placed on scarred/ southern trees/. The word salve is
defined as a medical ointment for healing or relieving wounds and sores.
However, its connotation in this poem is to serve as a healing from the past. The
speaker wants to be that ointment placed on the painful events from slavery to

the present as a form of resolution. One could argue the meaning of this line is to
move on from what happened, but never forget.
The importance of the poems purpose is expressed through its cultural
relevance. In the textbook, Perrine tasks readers to judge a poem based on three
criteria: the central purpose, accomplishment of that purpose, and its importance.
I Wanna succeeds in its purpose to convey, express, and reflect on the past of
the African-American race. It not only engages the reader, but it gives insight into
the nature of human experience, in this case, the experience of blacks. The
poem accomplishes what other great poetry sets out to do by expressing a rich
human experience. The choice of language and diction set the poem apart from
other literary works, thus making it fresh and new for the reader. I wanna pulls
from events of the past and turns them into a learning experience that can be
appreciated by all races and cultures. Colemans use of images, historical
context, and cultural relevance makes her a perfect candidate for the next edition
of Sound & Sense.