The Warmth of Summer & Soulbook

“I have only to break into the tightness of a strawberry, and I see summer- its dust and loving skies.” -Toni Morrison

The Reject Notes, column in SOULBOOK, proudly featured work from talented Black artists of the 1960s and 1970s.

Your forest sign,

with your red corals,

your bracelets of curved gold,

and this crocodile

swimming in the

Zambesi of your eyes

-Nicholas Guillén (1902-1989)

Revered as a prolific poet and committed activist, Nicholas Guillén was highlighted in an edition of Soulbook as an introduction to the notable poetry features, Reject Notes, in the 1967 Summer-Fall edition. Opening the edition’s featured poetry with the words of Guillén not only payed tribute and respect to the award-winning Cuban artist, but it also illustrated Soulbook’s political position. Welcoming the words of Nicholas Guillén, an Afro-latino artist who was denied entry into the United States, onto the pages of a self-sufficient Black-owned U.S. publication that spoke to Black revolutionary thinkers was symbolic of Soulbook’s significance as well as the vision of its editors. Soulbook sought to speak to and for the hearts of Black people throughout the diaspora; ultimately, focused on facilitating international unity among Black voices.

rapt

in this moment

when now seeks

to be then

all still in motion

with tomorrow

-TLU (New Reject Notes)

If you’re interested in submitting work of expression for September Set’s consideration, feel free to make an inquiry via email, septemberset0@gmail.com