Ruth Forman's poetry is multifaceted, focusing on concepts such as spirituality, religion, politics, race, identity, and love. Her poetry is incredibly personal, focusing on her own sense of identity and her personal experiences. For example, in "Prayers like shoes," she speaks about how her mother taught her to pray as a child and how it has now become part of her daily routine.
Many of Forman's poems speak about the experiences of black American females, drawing on topics such as racism and under-representation in media. In the poem "Stand," Forman urges her readers to stand up against racism when they see it, concluding that they should not be afraid to be told to sit down. Instead, people should actively fight against prejudice and racism.
Forman also talks about the problems facing women in modern society, especially in regard to unrealistic expectations about appearance. In her poem "These Hips," Forman celebrates her voluptuous body, comparing her hips to "ripe plums," admiring her own femininity.
