Contributed by Delores Thorton
www.blackrefer.com
Pinkard hands the reader an evening of pleasure, starting with The Calm, a section that has poems like Grandpa Jack. "He was a big man, filled with big knowledge." He lost a fight to cancer, but his lessons remained. The soft beauty of "I’ve Seen God", is also found here, as is "A Letter to a College Friend", where a friend reminisces, talks about dreams, and offers a warning to the children of today.
The section called The Beginning, offers "Small Talk", with rhythmic sounds of thunder, demanding big talk. "One Thursday Night in April", speaks of lost virginity, while "Workin’ in the shadows of freedom", whispers of a bygone era which included cool jazzy summers and lemon head candy. "A dream challenged and failed", asks what happens to unfulfilled dreams. Where do they go? The poem suggests that perhaps they will explode.
The Wrath gives the reader poems like, "So glad slavery is over", where the author laments over the fact that African-Americans are still enslaved. "Disconnected", also found in this section, is a spicy poem filled with alliteration. "Braids", is a salute to braids, which compares them to "new forms." Pinkard speaks of crackling hair and the beat of African drums.
In The Aftermath, "I want a man", is a powerful read. The narrator gives the expectations of the type of man she desires. He is daring, committed, and loving.
"A little rain for my soul", found in The Sunshine, says "even the sun needs a break", and "Our song", is a celebration of blackness and pride. It conjures up images of Tubman, King, Cosby, and other African-American legends.
Pinkard has penned an outstanding work! Visit her at: http://www.michellejpinkard.com
Pinkard's short story "The Warden" was included in this exciting new project!
