Morgan Parker: There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé

Members of the Beyhive, fret not: There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé isn’t a takedown attempting to dethrone Queen Bey, but rather the second collection from poet Morgan Parker (who does opt to point out the wonder in everyday moments, finding beauty in self-awareness and clumps of mascara). In 40-odd poems, the Gatewood Prize winner draws on personal experiences and pop-cultural touchstones—the world-famous entertainer included—to explore black womanhood in America today, using a confident vulnerability to confront sorrow, joy and sex. Go more than skin deep when Parker visits Brookline Booksmith for a reading on March 21.