| From Library Journal Here are two worthwhile additions to African-American literature issued by the small but ambitious Harlem River Press. Ashanti's work is full of insight into society's problems. His rhythmical poems strike chords that elegantly give voice to the African-American experience that he transcends so well. Witness these lines from "Just Another Gig": "Rampaging spectral images/ darkling strange and imminent/ marathon fingers vamping/ base chords while 16th note diatribe/ focuses like needling rain/ trips but never falls/ the melody is troublesome/cross-fire of musical notes. . . ." In controlled lines， Ashanti captures the essence of famous poets and musicians even as he informs the reader of their world and life. Recommended. Henderson-Holmes's poetry is aimed at everyone interested in social change. A precise writer， she mixes the right image with the right word to give power to her poems: "the music screams from somewhere/ an old， tired tune/ even the costumes are familiar/ the spit， the cutting stares/ the bullet words fired/ at anyone or anything unwanted." The fresh similes dare to create a kind of terror--"blood passes around/ like cold beer"--and the themes are often taken from world events， as in "hip hop meets winnie mandela" and "bertha . . . ah， vencera." In poem after poem Henderson-Holmes examines life as it really is--much as poet Gloria T. Hull does， though each has a unique style.- Lenard D. Moore， Writer-in-Residence， Wake Cty. Arts Council， Raleigh， N.C.Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information， Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. |
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