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4.54 AVERAGE
4.54 AVERAGE
I sometimes wonder if my ratings for poetry are all off and nonsensical but I can't help it when I encounter such art and beauty and truth on a page.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
fast-paced
really good poetry book. mostly about his experience as a black man.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
I’ve said this before but I feel as though I sometimes cheat poets when reading. I read fast and I don’t always get the depth, the meaning, the sincerity behind the author’s writing. And that does them a disservice. I did make a more conscious effort to inwardly digest these poems, but I still feel as though Smith gets the short end. However, if you need to sit with only one poem in these pages, let it be ‘what the cicada said to the black boy’ as it is the soul-wrenching piece that lead me to this collection in the first place. I don’t think it’s overstatement to say that Clint Smith takes a rightful place next to Langston Hughes in a pantheon of poets whose work makes me feel, makes me experience, makes me wonder. Smith might say that he’s not worthy, but then we’re all our own worst critics.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
reflective
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Okay with some stand outs. Honestly, I really preferred the author's nonfiction novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism