Reviews - Counting Descent

375 reviews for:

Counting Descent

Clint Smith

4.54 AVERAGE

meg510's review

5.0

Every poem in here is stunning.

An utterly phenomenal collection of poetry. Smith's ability to deliver a truth and a blessing is undeniable as well as indelible. I'll revisit this book again and again and always find something new. I'll echo and say his ability to capture the burden of being black in a country is unprecedented. I cried for his pain and the pain of all the others.

One of the most striking verses: "Maybe when I was a kid/ a white boy told me I was marginalized/ and all I could think of was the edge/ of a sheet of paper, how empty it is--/ the abyss I was told never to write into."

Ugh...that one is gonna stick with me for a long time...

mariamareads's review

5.0

I love every poem in this book and this is the first time that’s ever happened

aloracisneroz23's review against another edition

5.0

Favorite quote:

“It should come as no surprise.
I have always used words
to try and convince the world
that I am worth something.”

jenanneco's review against another edition

5.0

I am not sure how I went by without rating this 4 months ago. But for the record, Clint Smith--ya good at what you do.

rachelobl2's review against another edition

4.0

"I wish I could give my breath to the boys / who had theirs taken, but I've stopped counting / because it feels like there are too many boys / & not enough breath to go around."

"I have always used words / to try and convince the world / that I am worth something."

ok wow. i didn't expect to like this one as much as i did, i'm once again blessing scribd for the audiobook and ebook, the audiobook is narrated by clint smith himself and MAN HIS VOICE.

wcsheffer's review against another edition

4.0

Clint Smith's Counting Descent is a powerful reflection on his life, his childhood in New Orleans, and the state of the world. His poems run together, backwards and forwards, from each other and through each other in way that is not obtuse or confusing but welcoming and intimate. Smith invites the reader to think through tough questions with him. In one instance, he puts James Baldwin and the protest novel in conversation with each other--each arguing the value to one another, landing on the importance of representation. Which speaks to another thing I really enjoyed about this collection, there is closure in some semblance. Smith walks us through experiences and questions earlier in the book and ends with some answers. One of my favorite poems, "Meteor Shower", powerfully ruminates on the ways that we bring where we are from wherever we go. Not necessarily resolving the issue of feeling isolated from one's childhood home but providing some sort of answer. Another great read from Write Bloody Publishing!