"Rights of Passage" (1967): This long poem is considered one of Brathwaite's most important works. It presents a narrative of the Caribbean experience, combining historical, mythical, and personal elements. The poem weaves together different voices, languages, and rhythms, reflecting the diversity and complexity of Caribbean culture.
"Masks" (1968): This collection of poems explores the concept of masks and identities in Caribbean society. Brathwaite uses the metaphor of masks to represent the ways individuals and communities negotiate and perform different roles in a post-colonial context. The poems engage with themes of resistance, liberation, and the search for authentic selfhood.
"Mother Poem" (1977): "Mother Poem" is a long, experimental poem that celebrates the figure of the mother as a symbol of strength, resilience, and creativity. Brathwaite employs innovative language, fragmented narratives, and non-linear structures to convey the complexities and contradictions of the mother-child relationship.
"Sun Poem" (1982): "Sun Poem" is a collection of poems that engages with the natural world and the relationship between humans and the environment. Brathwaite explores themes of spirituality, interconnectedness, and the cyclical nature of life, drawing on African and Caribbean religious traditions.
"X/Self" (1987): "X/Self" is a collection that reflects on the complexities of personal identity and self-expression. Brathwaite combines fragmented narratives, multiple voices, and experimental language to explore themes of fragmentation, transformation, and the search for wholeness.
Kamau Brathwaite's poetry is known for its powerful imagery, rhythmic language, and innovative use of form. He draws on Caribbean history, culture, and mythology to create a unique poetic voice that addresses issues of identity, liberation, and the complexities of the post-colonial experience.