Behind Bite [excerpts] Bite, the title of this manuscript, represents my outlook on the genre of poetry through my biggest influences and through the content of my work. Poetry should "bite" you, leave an in impression. It should continue to haunt you long after you read it, like it's gotten under your skin and you carry it with you everywhere you go.... The key writers and works that "bit" me, influencing my manuscript are: Lucille Clifton (...