With Black History Month and Valentine’s Day approaching, poet Nikki Giovanni will release her newest collection of verse, ‘Love Poems,’ in the middle of next month. Giovanni, a Cincinnati native, has written several books over the past few decades including ‘Racism 101,’ ‘Black Feeling/Black Talk/Black Judgment’ and ‘My House.’ ‘Love Poems’ is a collection of some of her previously published poems as well as more than 20 new works, and is dedicated to deceased rap star TuPac Shakur.One of the new poems is titled ‘All Eyez On U (for 2Pac Shakur 1971-1996).”I didn’t know him personally,’ Giovanni said. ‘But he was an outstanding voice for his generation. It was such a loss. You just hate to see young people die.’ Some of her work has earned her the title of being a controversial writer.’She’s not like your average poet; she’s radical in her thinking,’ said Dana Collins, a graduate student in black studies.Giovanni grew up during the era of segregation in the first-half of this century, and said she was glad that society moved past that age. She said she also believes that her generation did a good job getting past segregation and easing racial tension throughout the years. She recognized that there are still racial problems in society, but insisted that just because there still problems doesn’t mean there hasn’t been social progress.Giovanni said one of her favorite poems from ‘Love Poems’ is ‘And Yeah…This Is A Love Poem,’ which she wrote about the Million Man March.