The Road is Long is the debut poetry collection of Gerald L. Coleman, co-founder of the Affrilachian Poets. Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Gerald L. Coleman writes with a clarity, depth of perception, and intensity that has led to his poems being published in anthologies and literary journals alike. This long-awaited collection of poetry is a triumph of literary ambition and the sublime. Praise for The Road is Long: "Affrilachia has been waiting for this book for a long time. Spend time in these pages and experience why we offer up pepper " Frank X Walker Kentucky Poet Laureate 2013-2014 Author of Isaac Murphy: I Dedicate This Ride "the road is long, is a sorghum of love and truth; rage and triumph; uprising and love making. From Baltimore to Lexington, Kentucky, Coleman's poems are filled with black boys building "on the curve/of an hypotenuse/rather than the/ inelegant vertices/ of a square." Black nerd, comic book philosopher, pastor poet and keeper of Affrilachian truth, Gerald Coleman has done the work and here is the proof." Kelly Norman Ellis Author of Tugaloo Blues and Offerings of Desire "the road is long speaks of moments anchored inside memories that linger like the warmth of a kiss or a night in a forbidden country. This culling originates below buried feet; it tempts the steel of emotion until from an open mouth, a water fountain of verses emerges in full medieval armor like a knight refusing to surrender, it howls." Ricardo Nazario y Colon Author of The Recital and Of Jibaros and Hillbillies "Gerald L. Coleman delivers poems that are confident and sensitive, funny and heartbreaking, vulnerable and bristling-what life is and a poet should be. the road is long proves Coleman understands that connection, as a child's education in comic books and neighborhood footraces makes way for a wise seer who can't look away from American hypocrisy. Let Coleman's refrain "and my life is not cheap" ring out and touch every ear. This is a resilience to be admired." Mitchell L. H. Douglas 2011 Winner - Lexi Rudnitsky Editor's Choice Award Author of Cooling Board: A Long Playing Poem Nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding Literary Work-Poetry category and a Hurston/Wright Legacy Award."