TITLE: MY HOUSE
AUTHOR: NIKKI GIOVANNI
PUBLISHER: MORROW PAPERBACK EDITIONS
PAGES: 69
Review...
Once upon a time, many moons ago, I scored this book at a local book store, and re-discovered it recently tucked away in my personal library. I'm elated that I did. I've always been a fan of Giovanni's work, and this book allowed me to revisit the many reasons why. When it comes to poetry, Nikki nails it.
FORMAT, FORM
The book (consisting of more than five dozen poems) is divided into two sections: THE ROOMS INSIDE, THE ROOMS OUTSIDE.
Reminiscent of e.e. cummings' work, she pens poetry in lower-case letters.
Her work is brief, but substantive. Her style of expression is simple, candid, and often thought-provoking and humorous. This is her second collection of poetry.
She shares, through her reflective lens, views on mothers and children, relationships, and experiences of African-Americans.
Among my favorite pieces are:
A CERTAIN PEACE--where she describes the pleasures (and the periodic need) of spending time alone, for sanity sake. In it she states,
"it was very pleasant
not having you around
this afternoon
not that i don't love you
and want and need you
and love loving and wanting and needing you but there was a certain peace
when you walked outside the door..."
WINTER POEM--
"once a snowflake fell
on my brow and i loved it so much
and i kissed it
and it was happy and called its cousins..."
My House is a quick read with lasting impact. Pick it up where books are sold. You can thank me later.
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