With fierce candor and an unflinching eye, the highly praised author of Push journeys through the harsh realities of African American existence to find the « door to the possibility of now. » The heroes that emerge from these forty-seven vigorous poems confront the agony of betrayal as they strive in their quest for self-transformation and redemption. From the city streets to the rich landscape of dreams, each of these poems holds out the « black wings of expectation » offering the chance to emerge from the pain of the past and arrive at « the day you have been waiting for/when you would finally begin to live. » At turns alarming and inspiring, the raw lyrics and piercing wisdom of Black Wings & Blind Angels remind us of Sapphire’s place as a unique and fearless voice.