Book Look! Poetry Review For May 2025...

 

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. There are no periods at the end of sentences or stanzas.

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.

Within the pages, she shares, through her reflective lens, views on mothers and children, relationships, life observations 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. Nikki's "house" is warm, familiar and inviting indeed.  Pick it up where books are sold. You can thank me later.

Poetry Corner* Dr. Archan Mehta

 

Moving Forward

There, there now: Let me comfort you. 

Give me a hug. Give me a kiss. I know how

You feel. Life is challenging, but there is no

Use crying over spilled milk, my dear. I know

You no longer feel the same about them. And

Yet, it is difficult to let go of childhood friends

And family. But they no longer make sense and

Have no place in your life. It is time for you to move

On and play your own song. The past is history and

Let it be. Honey, don’t you see? You have outgrown

Them. If you still feel empty inside, well, it is time

To find the beauty within and slither into a new skin.

You don’t have to dance to the fancies and whims of

Your Kith and Kin. They don’t own your heart and soul.

You can live alone and still be happy and find peace of

Mind. Don’t allow those who don’t matter to control,

Manipulate and bully you. They are no longer a part of you.

BIO

Dr. Archan Mehta has earned a PhD. in Management. Currently, he is a Consultant and Writer based in India. In his free time, he likes to stroll the outdoors and party with close friends. 

He is also fond of meditation.

Please feel free to reach out to the poet at archanm@hotmail.com at your convenience.

Join Poets United For Our Poetry Forum in April

 

We Invite You to Join us as we Celebrate National Poetry Month!

WHEN:

APRIL 19, 2025

2:30-4:30 P.M.

WHERE:

WEST PULLMAN LIBRARY

830 W. 119TH STREET

CHICAGO

There will be food, fun, and various poets sharing their works for your enjoyment!

Open Mic 

from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

Poets United Celebrates National Poetry Month

 

 GUIDE

This is my fantasy:

To hold you in my arms,

To heal your sore wounds,

To help you forget about your past,

To help you grow above and beyond

Your self-imposed limitations. I want to

Offer you a garland of flowers, a holy

Symbol to encourage your soul to touch

The sun instead of wallowing in self pity

And welcoming the oblivion of darkness.

I want you to discard passivity and embrace

The sky like a mom clings to her adorable baby.

I want you to look within and discover the core of

Your being instead of seeking validation from carping

Critics and manipulative people who don’t care for you.

I want you to discover and pursue your hobbies and 

Interests and stay engaged with the flow of life, my love. 

BIO: 

DR. ARCHAN MEHTA has earned a PhD. in Management. Currently, he is a Consultant and Writer based in India. In his free time, he likes to stroll the outdoors and party with close friends. 

He is also fond of meditation.

Please feel free to reach out to the poet at archanm@hotmail.com at your convenience.

Poetry Corner* Dr. Archan Mehta

 

 True Friend

I know you feel upset, my dear,

But, rest assured, your moody blues

Will not last forever. The tide will

Turn and you will feel whole again,

Friend. Please listen to me, for a change,

We can feel young again: despite the

Passage of time, we have the potential

To age like fine wine in the lush, green

Fields of Southern France. Kindly give

Me a chance to make it up to you. If

You cry, I will wipe away the tears

From your eyes. I will rush to your

Rescue and protect you from fair

Weather friends: they want to party

Hard and celebrate life at your expense.

But through the ups and downs, you and I

Will soldier on. That is why I created this song.

BIO: 

Dr. Archan Mehta has earned a PhD. in Management. Currently, he is a Consultant and Writer based in India. In his free time, he likes to stroll the outdoors and party with close friends. 

He is also fond of meditation.

Please feel free to reach out to the poet at archanm@hotmail.com at your convenience.

Poetry Corner* Dr. Archan Mehta

IN SEARCH OF INSPIRATION...

The muse cannot be summoned like a

Cultural ambassador working for an embassy

Or consulate located on foreign shores: the 

Muse needs room to breathe. I prayed like a

Monk in a Bhutan temple, but the muse refused

To visit me. I danced like a Sufi dervish under

The dome of an azure blue sky, but the muse

Ignored me. I started to sing and praised the muse,

But my divine inspiration ran away like a cheetah

In Africa. I woke up, suddenly, in the middle of the

Night, drenched in sweat: the muse appeared and

Whispered in my ear in a soft and silky voice: I

Will show up in your life, poet, but only on my

Terms and conditions. Your prayers and songs

And dances won’t help, for I dance to the beat

Of my own drummer. I am unpredictable like 

The weather. Wait for me: patience is a virtue.

BIO: 

Dr. Archan Mehta has earned a PhD. in Management. Currently, he is a Consultant and Writer based in India. In his free time, he likes to stroll the outdoors and party with close friends. 

He is also fond of meditation.

Please feel free to reach out to the poet at archanm@hotmail.com at your convenience.

Poets United to Perform For Black History Month!

 

Greetings, Readers!

I hope that 2025 finds you enjoying a wonderful start, and keeping warm. This brief post is to share some recent news of potential interest.

Poets United to Advance the Arts will resume its usual creative programs and educational workshops starting in February, 2025.

We invite you to come celebrate with us. To start the roster of activities out, we'd love for you to join us for a fun-filled forum at the West Pullman Library. The details are as follows:

ROCK YOUR RHYMES...

POETRY READING

 AND OPEN MIC 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

2:00-4:00 P.M.

WEST PULLMAN LIBRARY

830 W. 119th Street

Chicago

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!