This beautifully designed book, which in visual style seems to merge Art Deco with WPA backyard, collects more than 200 outstanding poems written by African Americans past and present. Edited by Miller (First Light: New and Selected Poems), director of Howard University's African American Resource Center, the anthology gathers a generous range of work, from anonymous spirituals to Langston Hughes's classic ``Mother to Son.'' It also includes poetry by Pulitzer Prize-winning Yusef Komunyakaa, Poet Laureate Rita Dove, Lucille Clifton, June Jordan, the gifted young Elizabeth Alexander and many others. The editorial choices are imaginative, and not all of the writers will be immediately or widely familiar-a boon for any reader looking to make discoveries. Some of these who may be especially appreciated: Eugene Redmond, Angela Jackson. BOMC selection. (Sept.) From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information