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Special thanks to . . .Louis Reyes Rivera, who labored hard and long to make

 this book happen.  The patience of Job, I believe, was modeled after him.

His insight is making me a better writer and poet everyday.

 

 

Slo' Dance

Poems by Ted Wilson

with an Introduction by Amiri Baraka

Acknowledgements

In writing and completing any book, there are many people to whom recognition is dues. First, I wish to thank . . . my father, Harry Wilson, whose sense of discipline did not come easily; my mother, Althea Wilson, who watches and waits and is always there to pick me up -- they probably thought they brought home the wrong baby but nurtured it anyway; my big sister, Yvonne Easton, who encouraged, guided and helped shape Willie, and who continues to mentor me.

They are too many to mention, but they know who they are -- all of the fine poets and writers, musicians, painters, sculptors, photographers, and artists in general whom I have been given the privilege to be around, hang with and share intimacies. I do not take their gifts lightly. I acknowledge as well the spiritual hands of my godparents who continually guide me and instruct me to get the most that life, through the Supreme, has for me. Every day I learn more about how to work with my tools.

Special shouts to Joe White, writer and thinker extraordinaire, and to Al Pertilla, the same. they make me look at things in other ways and to delve deeper. To Amina Baraka, another writer and performer extraordinaire, one of my biggest supporters and fans; to her renown husband, Amiri Baraka, a model for us all in the sociopoliticalartistic world we attempt to live in, and who's always said to me, "write the book."

Special thanks to Ben Caldwell for permission to use his painting for the front cover; the same to Risasi Dais for photographing the painting . . . .  for her computer graphics work in balancing the color for production, to Shawn Walker for the back cover photograph. And in the final act of this drama comes my dear friend, comrade and editor (the poet's poet), Louis Reyes Rivera, who labored hard and long to make this book happen. The patience of Job, I believe, was modeled after him. His insight is making me a better writer and poet everyday. A dúpúe.

Source: Ted Wilson. Slo' Dance. Brooklyn, NY: Shamal Books, 2003 / Contact: Shamal Books, GPO Box 16, NYC 10116 (718) 622 4426

 

Ted Wilson, formerly with Pride and Liberator magazines,  is a writer, producer, and promoter, most recently with the Bread Is Rising poetry series in New York City.

A cultural worker since the 1960s Black Liberation/human rights movements, Ted's writings have appeared in several journals: The Black Nation; Black American Literature Forum; Callaloo; NOBO: Journal of African American Thought; and anthologies: Amiri Baraka: The Kaleidoscopic Torch (ed. J.E. Gwynne); In Defense of Mumia (eds. S.E. Anderson, T. Medina); Black Fire: An Anthology of Afro-American Writing  (eds. L. Jones, L. Neal); New Rain #9: Our Fathers/Ourselves (eds. G. Johnston, M. M'Buzi Moore)].

He also works as a Construction Manager Consultant and Developer currently involved in an effort to develop a Cultural/Arts district in Newark, New Jersey.

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update 4 August 2008

 

 

Home Louis Reyes Rivera Table

Related files: Slo Dance Reviews   Celebrating the Release  Acknowledgements  Slo Dance Table   Slo Dance Introduction  A Real Long Look   The Protector Mobutu and Zaire

 From Gangs of the Ghetto to Gangstas of the Inner City