Love Poems

A landmark collection of love poetry by the most widely published African American poet of her time, tracing the arc of a queer relationship and including some of her most famous poems

Foreword by aja monet • Afterword by Adrienne Rich

A Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, with flaps and deckle-edged paper

With the publication in 1993 of Love Poems (published as Haruko / Love Poems), June Jordan became the first major Black poet to write a collection composed entirely of love poems. In the first half of the collection, Jordan wrestles with the heartbreak of her doomed relationship with a woman identified only by her first name, Haruko. In the second half, which brings together poems written over the course of twenty years, including some of her most famous, like “Poem About My Rights,” “Resolution #1,003,” “I Must Become a Menace to My Enemies,” and “Poem Number Two on Bell’s Theorem,” she explores various manifestations of love—as romance and political resistance, selfhood and motherhood, connection to and alienation from a beautiful and often cruel world. With this Penguin Classics edition, June Jordan takes her place in the American canon alongside her contemporaries Audre Lorde, Gwendolyn Brooks, Lucille Clifton, Nikki Giovanni, and bell hooks.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs