What is the theme in The River Niger by Joseph A. Walker?

Poetry is an important theme of Walker's play. Although he is a housepainter by trade and a hopeless alcoholic, John is also a poet. Early in the play, John describes himself as a warrior without a battle-field, unsure of how to go about fighting for racial equality. In the end of act 2, he comes closer to defining his "battlefield" in asserting that his racial pride is expressed through his poetry. He tells Dudley, "I'm a poet, ya hear me, a poet! When this country—when this world, learns the meaning of poetry—" John then turns to his son, explaining to him, "Don't you see, Jeff, poetry is what the revolution's all about—never lose sight of the true purpose of the revolution, all revolutions—to restore poetry to the godhead!"