The Toni Morrison Dreams

How does Elizabeth Alexander use imagery in The Toni Morrison Dreams?

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The imagery is consistent with the characterization in the poem. "The Toni Morrison Dreams" characterizes two women: the novelist Toni Morrison and the speaker who is an aspiring writer and a new mother. Morrison is particular about her coffee and her brand of cigarettes. She has her gray hair done up in impressive dreadlocks. She gives strategies for writing and reads from her own writing. The speaker is so eager to participate in the program that she does not allow the encumbrance of having a little baby stop her from attending. As a writer herself, the speaker seeks Morrison's praise and encouragement and takes what she gets. The speaker admits Morrison "does not love / [her] work, but she loves / my baby, tells me / to have many more."