Trouble man: Amiri Baraka has been under siege recently for his poem "Somebody Blew Up America." But long before the latest firestorm, this literary legend has made controversy a way of life - includes selected bibliography

Baraka, who often appears with younger hip-hop poets in performance slams, is more optimistic about the current state of poetry. "Poetry is alive and well," he says. "Afro-American and Latino poetry is at a point of artistic excellence and political insurgency. There are hundreds of young black and Latino poets, some whites as well, creating verses of revolution and resistance. There is no genre of art in the U.S. as consciously anti-imperialist, antiracist, radical and revolutionary as the work of these poets," he continues. "As uneven as the TV show Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry is, it still presents an often exciting flash of new and young, and some not-so-young poets who are now or will be very important and influential voices."

While others of his generation criticize rap as an art form, he judges the music by the same criteria as the Black Arts Movement. "Rap remains important," says Baraka. "It began as inspiring and innovative, as a grassroots form with a radical and passionate content. I was impressed very early because I knew it was the poetic genre predicted by the Black Arts: one, black; two, mass-oriented; and three, revolutionary," he says, in describing the criteria.

"But this new music has been sabotaged, covered by fusion and racist claims of co-origination and ultimate mastery by others, like R&B was co-opted by rock and roll," he says. "Rap is co-opted by Eminem and the corporations take hold and use the carrot of money and fame to change the art."

One of the most active and prolific scribes of our time, Baraka cherishes his "down time," painting and creating artwork, which is rapidly gaining recognition. In fact, he has already had two one-man shows. He continues to tour in his series of monthly poetry readings as poet laureate, and for the past 15 years, has helped to coordinate an arts space codirected by his wife, Amina.

Facing the onset of diabetes, the poet is not on insulin and conscientious about what he eats. Relaxation also means watching old movies, reading three newspapers daily, and an essay or two from Baldwin's The Price of the Ticket a couple days a week at breakfast. A copy of Fidel Castro's speeches, Ho Chi Minh's biography or Cabral's writings might be at his bedside, as well poetry from Roque Dalton, Jacques Roumain, and Linton Kwesi Johnson. As for jazz, he tries to listen to Sun Ra a few times a week, along with Duke, Coltrane and Monk.

More than anything, Baraka is proud of his marriage to his wife, Amina, who has been his partner and soul mate for 35 years, and mother of five of his nine children. She has two children from a previous marriage, and he has four from his first marriage and previous relationships. His son Ras has followed in his footsteps and is a fine poet who has recorded two poetry CDs, one with Grammy-winning artist Lauryn Hill. Ras is also a vice principal at a local high school and recently ran for Newark City Council, but lost by 115 votes. His consolation prize was being appointed deputy mayor by Newark Mayor Sharpe James. Baraka's eldest son, Obalaji, coaches sports at Shabazz High School in Newark and directs a city recreation program. Amiri Jr. is CEO of an entertainment company. Shani, his daughter, a former all-American point guard in college, teaches at Vailsburg Middle School in Newark. Ahi, the youngest son, is still recovering from a gunshot wound to the head fired by "a knucklehead," says Baraka. Also a writer, Ahi accompanies Baraka on tour.