The puzzle of ego
This poetry features the self as a question to be solved. When a person views the world through only the lens of their ego, they see the world as a reflection of their memories, their desires, and their fears. But, without that ego, what would perception be like? That is the question asked by the lines in this poem. The goal of the poetry is to suggest some kind of transcendence from ego. The problem of ego is redoubled by the problem of death.
Race reconciliation
The poetry zones in on a specific problem in society, the mistreatment and historical disenfranchisement of Black people in America, especially during the 1960's. For those who don't know, the 1960's were a time of major cultural change, but racism did not abate without a fight. The poetry remembers the activism of the Black communities as they fought together for a peaceful future where they were treated as respected citizens, instead of second-class citizens.
Culture and privilege
The poetry contrasts two kinds of culture. There is the ego driven culture of the hippies and bohemians, whose culture is primarily about expressing their inner self through style and lifestyle, and there is the long-standing culture of the poet's Black community whose culture is a reflection of a history of mistreatment and oppression. The irony between those two types of cultures is the fodder for many of the lines, and the poet's dual interest in both is on display.
