Tuesday, September 29, 2015

The Speed of Belief by Tracy K Smith (poem)

I didn't want to wait on my knees
In a room made quiet by waiting.
 
A room where we'd listen for the rise
Of breath, the burble in his throat.
 
I didn't want the orchids or the trays
Of food meant to fortify that silence,
 
Or to pray for him to stay or to go then
Finally toward that ecstatic light
 
I didn't want to believe
What we believe in those rooms:
 
That we are blessed, letting go,
Letting someone, anyone,
 
Drag open the drapes and heave us
Bak into our blinding, bright lives
 
When your own sweet father died
You woke before first light
And ate half a plate of eggs and grits,
And Drank a glass of milk.
 
After  you'd left, I sat in your place
And finished  the toast bits with jam
And the cold eggs, the thick bacon
Flanged in fat , savoring the taste.
 
Then I slept, too young to know how narrow
And grave the road before you seemed---
All the houses zipped tight , the night's
Few clouds muddy as cold coffee.
 
You stayed gone a week, and who were we
Without your clean profile nicking away
At anything that made us afraid?
One neighbor  sent a cake. We ate
 
The baked chickens , the honey hams.
We bowed our heads and prayed
You'd come back safe,
Knowing you would.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Book review Yellow Birds by Kevin Power

Let me star this book review by saying contemporary  literature is more of  the kind of books I love to
read. I have nothing against mysteries, sci- fi , historiacal fiction, or suspense , but I tend to hold all genres to the same criteria and that may not be fair.  So from this point forward I will try to hold suspense, action and mysteries to a slightly different criteria . One where plot is more important.  That said to say this book was good would be a gynormous understatement!

    One of the reasons I enjoyed this book is the masterful use of description.  It takes skill and a special kind of artistry  to make me feel hot, sticky and tired in the middle of winter when I was reading this book.  I could feel the ache, despair, and hopelessness the characters felt protection having to protect a community that wasnn't exactly enthused about them being there. You also got a chance to reexperience the diffculty of readjusting to civilain life.  I love how the author use  what would normally be considered backstory to move the plot forward.

    I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars it will be added to my permanent collection which says alot since I don't have alot of space in my tiny apartment for books.  The ones that make it to the permanent collection are the literary gems that I hold dear.











































































































































New Location

If you have made it here then I want to direct you to my newer improved blog over on wordpress ( New blog .) I just want to thank you guys f...