Nikki-Rosa Poem Analysis
In the poem “Nikki-Rosa,” Nikki Giovanni uses diction and imagery to prove that her childhood was happy in spite of her hardships. Giovanni Giovanni observed that even though African American families were in the middle of segregation, her family was “quite happy” (24). Giovanni mentions “How good the water felt when you got a bath from one of those big tubs that folk in Chicago barbecue in” (7-8). Her poem reflects all of the good times she has had with her family during the Civil Rights Era. Her word choice of “Happy birthdays and very good Christmases” (20) shows people how her family was happy through rougher times.