In the University of Iowa Archives, Haki R. Madhubuti’s unpublished 1984 thesis gives relevant insights about his early writing experiences in Iowa City. The thesis, titled “Earthquakes and Sun Rise Missions,” consists of various poems that Madhubuti wrote while in the workshop, including such quotes as:
“Poetry will not stop or delay wars, will not erase rape from the landscape, will not cease murder or eliminate poverty, hunger or excruciating fear. Poems do not command armies, run school systems or manage money. Poetry is not intimately involved in the education of psychologists, physicians or smiling politicians.
In this universe
the magic the beauty the willful art of explaining the
world & you;
the timeless the unread the unstoppable fixation with
language & ideas;
the visionary the satisfiable equalizer screaming for
the vitality of dreams interrupting false calm
demanding fairness and a new world are the
poets & their poems.”
Madhubuti, Haki. “Earthquakes and Sun Rise Missions.” University of Iowa Graduate College Master’s Thesis, 1984.