A review by janae
Soul Fire: Prose of Passion and Peace by Jason Monds, Ericka Streeter Hodge

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

 This collection of poems is lyrical, evocative, and full of emotion. Each poem is a piece of herself Ericka lifts into the light, allowing the reader into her heart. As we are told by the title, these are stories of passion and peace; of connectedness and transition. Her passion connects every part of her life from the spiritual to the physical, and her transitions from sorrow to peace.

In poems like “I Did Not Hang Myself”, “Sister of Sacrifice”, “No Song For You” and “The Skin I’m In” she speaks on the struggle, defiance, and joy of Black womanhood in the United States. Ericka’s personal experiences allow these stories to echo the sentiments of Black women around the country and even the world. Her storytelling turns further inward for the pieces “Painted Lady in Waiting” and “I’m Afraid of Angry Men”. Her words pull at the spirit, taking us through her pain and toward her triumphs. “When Do I Want to Quit” exemplifies this, as does her strength in “You Did Not Make Me a Woman”.

“Fuse” Stands out as the chronicling of a journey in progress. She has not yet emerged on the other side of this path but speaks of the joy to come when she does and the challenges she meets along the way. It is also an example of another theme appearing throughout this work: love. Love for her community, her family, herself, and of course, love for the right person. Poems like “Right Writer”, “Bring Me Fire”, and my favorite, “Throwback Love Thang” exhibit sensuality, sweetness, and the same strength as the rest of her work. ‘Soul Fire’ is a true journey into the heart of its author, a journey well worth taking.