This Is Not a Small Voice

Sonia Sanchez

‘This Is Not a Small Voice’ by Sonia Sanchez is a well-loved poem that celebrates the power of Black men, women, and children, as well as their communities. 

Sonia Sanchez

Nationality: American

Sonia Sanchez is a contemporary American poet born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1934.

She is the author of more than twelve books of poetry.

Key Poem Information

Unlock more with Poetry+

Central Message: The celebration and affirmation of the voices and love of Black people.

Themes: Love

Speaker: Unknown

Emotions Evoked: Passion, Pride

Poetic Form: Free Verse

Time Period: 20th Century

This is a moving poem that celebrates the voices and love of Black people. Through its use of vivid language and imagery, the poem provides a message of empowerment.

The poem was published in Sanchez’s 1995 collection Wounded in the House of a Friend. The lines of the poem praise Black love, talent, perseverance, ambition, and more. 



Summary

This Is Not a Small Voice by Sonia Sanchez is a powerful poem about the love and voice of Black communities and the individuals that make them up.

The poem starts with the speaker stating that the voice of these individuals is not small. It’s powerful and has a broad reach. It is doing more than mourning their losses. It is looking towards the future and fighting for a better life. 

The second stanza speaks to Black love. It is passionate, full, and nurtures life and more love in its place. The poet concludes the poem by reminding readers that the “voice” of Black men, women, and children is not a small one. 

You can read the full poem here

Detailed Analysis 

Stanza One 

This is not a small voice
(…)
no epitaphs spill out of their river mouths.

In the first stanza of ‘This Is Not a Small Voice,’ the speaker begins by using the line that later came to be used as the poem’s title. They say that “this” voice is not “small.” At this point, it’s unclear what kind of voice they’re referring to, but soon after, with the mention of names like “LaTanya” and “Antoine,” it becomes clear. The speaker is talking about Black voices, those that the world has tried to suppress for much of human history. 

The voices are not quiet, “coming out of these cities.” The voice of people protesting and fighting for their rights through whatever means is not quiet. These people are channeling the lives of “Darryl” and “Shaquille,” and the others the poet mentions. The name “Shaquille” brings to mind the basketball player Shaquille O’Neil. But, this name is just one of many the poet mentions. They all relate to Black communities at the time the poem was written. 

The poet adds that voice runs through schools, into the corners of the cities, and more. It is not a voice, they say, that is simply mourning the dead in epitaph form. It is doing much more. 

Stanza Two 

This is not a small love
(…)
This is a love initialed Black Genius.

The second stanza begins in the same way as the first, with the words “this is not a small.” This time though, the poet is talking about love. They say that Black love isn’t a tiny or marginalized thing. It is intense, beautiful, and passionate. Love brings people together and nurtures learning, hope, and more love in its place. It celebrates history and heals those who have been hurt. 

The love celebrates life and all its pieces. It is made of “iron and lace,” an example of juxtaposition that reminds the reader of the varied elements of life. The stanza concludes with the speaker saying that the name of love is “Black Genius.” 

Stanza Three 

This is not a small voice
(…)

The final stanza is only two lines long. It reiterates the message of the rest of the poem that the voice of the Black community is not small. 

Structure and Form 

This Is Not a Small Voice’ by Sonia Sanchez is a three-stanza poem that is written in free verse. This means that the lines do not follow a specific rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. The lines end with very different words and are different lengths. 

But, that doesn’t mean the poem is entirely without form. The first stanza, which is a total of twelve lines, begins in the same way as the second and third stanzas, with the phrase “This is not a small.” The first two stanzas also use spacing in an interesting way. In the second line, there is a space between “hear” and “this” that takes up the space of one or two words. This allows the reader to pause, stretching the silence longer, giving them time to consider the reach of the “voice.” 

Literary Devices 

Throughout this piece, the poet makes use of several literary devices. These include but are not limited to: 

  • Caesura: occurs when the poet inserts a pause into the middle of a line.
    For example, “you hear               this is a large.” 
  • Enjambment: can be seen when the poet cuts off a line before it’s natural stopping point. For example, the transition between lines four and five of the first stanza. 
  • Alliteration: occurs when the poet repeats the same consonant sound at the beginning of multiple words. For example, “schools spilling” in stanza one and “large” and “learning” in lines two and three of the second stanza. 


FAQs 

What are the themes in ‘This Is Not a Small Voice?’ 

The themes at work in this poem are the beauty and power of the Black community and Black individuals. The poet celebrates Black talent and love, passion, and perseverance. 

What is the purpose of ‘This Is Not a Small Voice?’ 

The purpose is to celebrate the voice of Black men, women, and children and remind readers of the broad reach the voice has. It stretches to all parts of the city and is doing more than mourning the dead. 

What is the tone of ‘This Is Not a Small Voice?’ 

The tone is direct and conversational. The poet uses specific language that gets to the heart of their meaning quite quickly. Without a rhyme scheme, the poem feels clearer and avoids any musical, sing-song-like qualities it might have if it rhymed. 

Who is the speaker in ‘This Is Not a Small Voice?’ 

The speaker is one of the voices that they refer to as “Black” voices throughout the poem. They are part of the talent and ambition of the men and women they are speaking about. 


Similar Poetry 

Readers who enjoyed this poem should also consider reading some other Sonia Sanchez poems. For example: 

  • Catch the Fire’  – a thoughtful and inspiring poem. In it, the poet encourages readers to catch their fire and use their passion to fuel their lives.
  • Poem at Thirty’ – describes a speaker’s journey from being wounded to growing stronger. The pain reminds her of the metaphorical “midnight” of her life and her community.
  • Present – Poem’ – a colorful and rhythmic piece with two stanzas looking into the life and emotions of the author concerning her personal and communal history. 

Poetry+ Review Corner

This Is Not a Small Voice

Enhance your understanding of the poem's key elements with our exclusive review and critical analysis. Join Poetry+ to unlock this valuable content.
Poet:
Sonia Sanchez (poems)
99
Period:
Nationality:
Theme:
Emotions:
Form:

Sonia Sanchez

99
'This is Not a Small Voice' is widely recognized as one of her most celebrated works, and it has been included in several anthologies and collections of contemporary poetry. The poem's use of language, imagery, and repetition creates a powerful and moving message highlighting the importance and significance of the voices and love of black people.
To unlock content, or join Poetry+

20th Century

50
This poem is a significant and influential 20th-century poem. The poem was written by Sonia Sanchez, who is an important figure in the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
To unlock content, or join Poetry+

American

45
This influential American poem celebrates the power and significance of the voices and love of Black people, highlighting their resilience, strength, and determination.
To unlock content, or join Poetry+

Love

55
The poem also highlights the power of love, which is described as a "passion for kissing learning on its face" and a force that "nourishes, conceives, feels the water sails, mends the children."
To unlock content, or join Poetry+

Passion

45
The poem describes the love of Black people as a "passion for kissing learning on its face." The use of the word "passion" suggests a strong and intense emotion, conveying the idea that the love of black people is a driving force that motivates and inspires.
To unlock content, or join Poetry+

Pride

48
The poem celebrates the voices and love of black people and emphasizes their importance and power. The repetition of the phrase "This is not a small voice" emphasizes the strength and significance of black voices, and the use of the phrase "initialed Black Genius" highlights the need to acknowledge and celebrate black achievements.
To unlock content, or join Poetry+

Black Lives Matter

99
This poem was first published in 1995 in Wounded in the House of a Friend. Sanchez spends the lines discussing and celebrating the immense “love / you hear” and the large “voice / you hear” in Black communities. The poet uses language like “not a small voice” and “no epitaphs spill out of their river mouths” in order to emphasize the positive language, like “this is a large / love, a passion for kissing learning / on its face.”
To unlock content, or join Poetry+

Equality

50
The poem also addresses the struggle for equality and respect faced by Black people. The repetition of the phrase "no epitaphs spill out of their river mouths" suggests that the voices of black people are often ignored or forgotten.
To unlock content, or join Poetry+

Oppression

35
The repetition of the phrase "This is not a small voice" emphasizes the strength and importance of the voices that are often silenced or ignored by society. The poem emphasizes the magnitude and significance of the voices and love of black people.
To unlock content, or join Poetry+

Perseverance

62
The poem also celebrates the resilience and strength of black people, who are portrayed as "running over waters, navigating the hallways of our schools, spilling out on the corners of our cities." Despite facing systemic oppression and discrimination, black people are depicted as determined and resilient, constantly pushing forward and striving for change.
To unlock content, or join Poetry+

Free Verse

33
The poem is a free verse poem, meaning that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. The use of enjambment, where lines flow into each other without punctuation, adds to the sense of continuity and fluidity in the poem.
To unlock content, or join Poetry+
Emma Baldwin Poetry Expert
About
Emma graduated from East Carolina University with a BA in English, minor in Creative Writing, BFA in Fine Art, and BA in Art Histories. Literature is one of her greatest passions which she pursues through analyzing poetry on Poem Analysis.

Join the Poetry Chatter and Comment

Exclusive to Poetry+ Members

Join Conversations

Share your thoughts and be part of engaging discussions.

Expert Replies

Get personalized insights from our Qualified Poetry Experts.

Connect with Poetry Lovers

Build connections with like-minded individuals.

Sign up to Poetry+
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Got a question? Ask an expert.x

We're glad you like visiting Poem Analysis...

We've got everything you need to master poetry

But, are you ready to take your learning

to the next level?

Share to...