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Sleeping with the Dictionary (audio only)

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Harryette Mullen
1953 –

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Harryette Mullen
Photo credit: Judy Natal

Harryette Mullen's work is driven by wordplay, allusion, and popular cliche, and is centered in a larger tradition of African American writing.

About Harryette Mullen

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More by this poet

Conversation in Isolation

Neighbors nail the planks
dividing their yard from mine.
Our durable fence.

I walk half a block
before realizing I’ve
forgotten my mask.

One ant following
another, trusting we all
are going somewhere.

Harryette Mullen
2021

Still Waiting

for Alison Saar

Harryette Mullen
2019

From Tanka Diary

The botanical garden is just as I remember,
although it is certain that everything
has changed since my last visit.

How many hilarious questions these fuzzy
fiddleheads are inquiring of spring
will be answered as green ferns unfurl?

Walking the path, I stop to pick up

Harryette Mullen
2014

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