This comprehensive and representative collection of Aimé Césaire's lyrical work owes its magnificent richness of imagery and language to a cultural reflection on "black" identity. His groundbreaking poem "Cahier d'un retour au pays natal," which André Breton declared to be "the greatest poetic monument of our time," is unique, just like his entire body of work. In addition to a poetic conversation with Daniel Maximin, this volume includes an afterword and detailed notes by the translator.