Later Poems, Part II: 1984–2012

Abstract

In the poems of this period Rich now, as in her early work, addresses an audience composed of both men and women, a general public. She expresses her wish for her poems to be useful to people, and reaffirms her belief that poetry is necessary, a way to gain insight and understanding of ourselves and the world. Further, she sees poetry as helping to form communities of like-minded people. In fact, poetry may point out why revolution is necessary.