Joan Baez on her book of poetry

Joan Baez is the voice of a generation. Her music became the soundtrack of anti-war protests and the civil rights movement in the 60s and 70s.

She performed at Woodstock and stood with Martin Luther King Jr at the march on Washington. And while she was appealing to the world to listen to our better angels and fight for social justice, she had more than her share of inner demons to contend with. 

Deep in therapy in the 90’s, processing childhood abuse, she began to write poetry on bits of paper and stashed them away. Now  for the first time, Joan Baez shares these poems publicly. 

The collection is a glimpse into complicated relationships with family members and other artists like  Bob Dylan, and moments that have shaped her life and  art.

The poetry book is called When You See My Mother, Ask Her to Dance.

When You See My Mother Ask Her to Dance book cover
Photo: supplied via Black Sparrow press