The irony of the title
This poem is obviously an attempt to tell the truth, so why does the poet call it The Liar? Because the issue of identity is so complicated that in order to express anything about himself, he feels he is simultaneously betraying the ineffable qualities of his existence. His attention to truthfulness is ironically framed as dishonesty, because he feels there is no language to capture the unique mystery of his specific point of view.
The attachment to bohemian culture
The poet explains his attachment to the free-thinking, expressive culture of bohemian America. He feels that it is ironic that he should feel so deeply attached to hippie individualism during the same era when he felt so deeply connected to the Black community (because of the movements of the 1960's for the equal treatment of Black people). That isn't to say he doesn't belong with them; the irony is that he does belong in both communities, but that is somewhat confusing to him.
The irony of Black community
Whereas some styles and fashions derive from setting one's self apart from the herd, this poet notices the ironic unity of the Black community as it rallied around the need for justice and equality. In a way, the irony is that he should feel deeply identified in those movements, even though the movement isn't about individuals—it is about the entire group. He feels an attachment to his community that is deeper than surface level styles and trends.
The irony of ego
When he views his life through his ego, the poet reports confusion and frustration, but that points him to a deeper irony, which is that when he pays attention to his ego, he takes existence for granted. To care about his own personal life and treatment is somehow at odds with his opinion that life is exotic and strange. The question of his ego seems ironically poised to point him toward transcending the ego.
Poetry and enlightenment
By attempting to communicate the things which he admits he cannot explain, the poet arrives at the theme of enlightenment. To the poet, religious enlightment seems to be the result of seeking to deeply understand one's self. Eventually, he acknowledges that what is most ironic about his life is not the mistreatment of his community, nor the struggle to understand his individual identity. Rather, the most confusing part of his life is that it is real, that he is alive, that there is a reality to experience.
