Originally published in the 1968 poetry collection Black Judgement, Nikki Giovanni's poem "Knoxville, Tennessee" has had many incarnations. In 1994, it was published as a children's book complete with full-color illustrations by Larry Johnson.
A delightful and nostalgic visit to a summertime memory, the poem evokes the voice of a child in the midst of this reverie. The poem is generally not complicated by literary references or stodgy style but leans heavily upon an innate rhythm that seems to rise from the child's own heartbeat. Originally written for an adult, African-American audience, the poem has found a much wider readership. Its simplicity draws readers into a world where the most important decision to make is whether to have more "barbecue" or keep some room for the "homemade ice-cream."
This complete Introduction contains 128 words. This
study guide contains 9,087 words (approx. 30 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our Knoxville, Tennesee Access Pass.
