Cane

First published in 1923, Jean Toomer's Cane is an innovative literary work-part drama, part poetry, part fiction-powerfully evoking black life in the South. Rich in imagery, Toomer's impressionistic, sometimes surrealistic sketches of Southern rural and urban life are permeated by visions of smoke, sugarcane, dusk, and fire; the northern world is pictured as a harsher reality of asphalt streets. This iconic work of American literature is published with a new afterword by Rudolph Byrd of Emory University and Henry Louis Gates Jr. of Harvard University, who provide groundbreaking biographical information on Toomer, place his writing within the context of American modernism and the Harlem Renaissance, and examine his shifting claims about his own race and his pioneering critique of race as a scientific or biological concept.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Cane by Jean Toomer is a book unlike anything I've ever read before. This piece of literary modernism combines prose, poetry, song, and drama into a whole that is held together by theme. Though none of the characters in the novel are present all the way through, often only included in one chapter, Toomer presents them with reasons to like them, hate them, understand them, pity them, and even hope for them. In this way, the novel is almost like a set of introductions from which meaning can be taken only after meeting everyone present. 

The vignettes that Toomer offers are interesting, heartbreaking, and include themes of racial tensions, discrimination, magical realism, allusions to the bible, framed with beautiful imagery. After reading this book it's obvious why Toomer was called a writer before his time as his experimentation with style is incredibly unique and was probably a put off in the 1920s for most readers. Though this book does not have a unifying plot, the entire piece can be taken as a study of the way people treat people in the 1920s. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy reading something they've never read before, but are not afraid of controversial topics and historical viewpoints.

Rating: 3/5 Cups

Poems from the Women's Movement

A volume of top-selected works representing definitive modes of thought during the women's movement of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s is a collection that includes pieces by such writers as Adrienne Rich, Muriel Rukeyeser, and Judy Grahn.

**

Edited by Honor Moore, Poems from the Women's Movement is an anthology of work that spans three decades. The poems within tackle the injustices that women felt during their move for equality. Various poems cover themes of acceptance, sexuality, womanhood, marriage, legal and reproductive rights, and even take certain political stances. 

These poems are a powerful testament to the cacophony of voices that pushed for change. Sylvia Plath, Marge Piercy, Alta, and Audre Lorde are just a few of the poets found within these pages. Readers will be transported back to the time when women were discriminated against for rejecting the societal expectations while bearing witness to the fear of rape, beatings, and being forced into marriage. 

Peircy's "Rape Poem" is one of the darkest in the novel and strikes a chord with readers today when she writes "There is no difference between being raped / and being bit on the ankle by a rattlesnake / except that people ask if your skirt was short / and why you were out alone anyhow" (lines 7-10, p.59). As this still occurs today, this poem is relevant to contemporary readers. 

Many other poems are just as relevant to today's society with women's issues still being fought for. Readers may feel understood, inspired, or fearful as they traverse the decades of the women's movement through this collection. It provides a unique perspective of this time period and gives a good sense of what the movement was striving for. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Poetry of WWI and WWII

A Treasury of War Poetry: British and American Poems of the World War 1914 - 1917

This book contains poetry from numerous countries all centered around the subject of war. Primarily British and American poems dating from 1914 to 1917 have been collected in this edition by the editor George Clarke. The subject matter of these poems encompass patriotism, courage, self-sacrifice, enterprise, and endurance. Authors included are V Lindsay, Galsworthy, Kipling and others.

***

Interesting collection of various country's poetry about WWI. With the poems either siding with patriotism or trauma, the book gives a well-rounded account of the war. It even included poets who fought on the frontlines as well as women who worked as nurses or sent their sons off to fight. There were a few well known poets intermingled with poets who I had never heard of before.

Poets of World War II

Acclaimed poet and World War II veteran Harvey Shapiro's pathbreaking gathering of work by more than sixty poets of the war years includes Randall Jarrell, Anthony Hecht, George Oppen, Richard Eberhart, William Bronk, and Woody Guthrie.

***

This book creates a stark contrast between WWII and WWI poetry. Most of the poets who are included in this anthology were members of the military and that fact alone gives readers an emotional connection. Whereas WWI poetry was more patriotic and focused on bravery and honor, WWII poetry is heavy in the theme of death. The poets are blunt, realistic, and honest in their fears. Reading this poetry was akin to hearing stories from war veterans. It's moving in a way that is also terrifying.

Rating: 3/5 Cups

Teaser Tuesday (186)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers



Sonnets (VIII, 39% Kindle)
   - Charles Gerard Timm

What's left but acting as if all is right?
A made-up smile upon my staggered face,
A costume that my heart doth bare no trace,
So well disguised, my bows the cheers invite.

Fancy Pants Poetry Volume 2

A departure from the original installment, although not so far out that the reader will be blindsided. Volume Two is not just more of the same poetry, yet at the same time it is. It's not as dark and cynical as the original, yet there are still such moments to be had. You'll discover poems showcasing a wider range of emotions, extracting new and fresh colours from the palette of life.

**

Finally had a chance to delve into Agostino Scafidi's poetry with Fancy Pants Volume Two. Having not read volume one, I feel a little at odds. It's strange not to start with the first book, but this poetry collection wasn't reliant on the reading of the prior. I was still able to connect with the poet. 

The collection is written in a mix of first person and second person point of view. Most of the time, the narrator is referring to himself, but a few times it quickly switches and focuses on the reader, either demanding or reminding. The attitude of the narrator is uncertain. That is to say, uncertainty is the attitude of the narrator. The collection of poetry questions the world, and emotions, that it explores. 

Various tones are used throughout the collection. In some poems, the narrator seems confused, as if he's missed the joke and the punchline. At other points, he is sure of what he's saying, no doubt. But just as quickly he shifts into a plague of doubt. The tone of the writing matches well with the focus of each poem. Scafidi writes of the future, the past, regret, uncertainty, fear, death, and more. 

The poetry of this collection was enjoyable. It was a delicate mix of poems that spoke and those that forced the reader to think, to break down the lines. Each poem was fairly short and easy to read. Though the punctuation at some points was a bit confusing. It seemed like there were some misplaced commas throughout the entire collection. Lines that seemed to be one thought were broken in the middle with a comma, adding an unnecessary breath. 

Rating: 2.5/5 Cups

Becoming: The Life and Musings of a Girl Poet

Becoming is a rousing composition of poems about utilizing your God-given talents and gifts in such a way that leads to a life of fulfillment.

**

Becoming is a wonderful compilation of poetry and prose by Nadia Brown. She writes of connections, questions the way of life, takes notice of the world around her, and revels in the details. Her poetry is inspirational and contemplative. Brown's style flows through each poem yet she varies the visual, including random rhyme and open-ended questions. The diversity of how each poem is presented illustrates the various topics she covers. 

Lovers of poetry will enjoy Brown's collection, though they may not agree with her perspective. She seems to focus on the details of life and religion, desire and hope. Regardless of whether or not readers agree with her words, they do bring focus and elicit internal contemplation. Though I can't include a rating because there's no main character for readers to connect with, I did enjoy Brown's poetry and felt the inspiration her words hold. The prose didn't resonate with me in the same way. I felt like it was more focused on motivation, as if I was signing up for a community presentation. I would have enjoyed them more if they were developed deeper with an essay style. 

Teaser Tuesday (101)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Becoming: The Life and Musings of a Girl Poet
Excerpt from "Questions from Guinevere"

Somewhere,
amid the landscape of night;
you are quietly gathering stars
underneath a glaring moon
prudently plotting your way to me.

Unfolding Soul

What has been written has been rewritten. What has been spoken has been forgotten. What is inscribed in the heart and the soul are eternal. Timeless, and beyond manipulation, unconditional love is forever unfolding. It is an unending Source of inspiration. When I put together the writings for Awareness of the Heart, I was not sure whether I would write again or if there was a need to write again for each person must find themselves and know what is in their heart and soul.

I can only offer what I feel is in my mine. Many will try to tell you what is in yours. Some may see all of you. Some may see part of you, and others still, will look pass you. What matters is not what they can accept of you, but what you can accept of yourself. The soul is forever unfolding. As I take this opportunity to share what is in mine, I hope you will take the opportunity to share what is in yours. And perhaps when we are all ready, we can accept that we are sharing this Soul and sharing this journey.

So whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi, Wiccan, non-denominational, or simply a person seeking to understand, allow your soul to unfold, and your heart to sing its song.

Perhaps in finding yourself, you will inspire others to find themselves. Spread your wings and show others how to fly.

**

I thoroughly enjoyed Unfolding Soul by Dennis T. Maglinte, a collection of poetry. The poems and prose within have a unique openness that is often appealing when questioning the world in which we live. A few of the pieces resonated deeply with me and I'm sure other readers will find the same solace in the words. 

The collection asks questions while studying the possible answers, calling to the reader to align itself with the hope that is born from asking. I think many people will form an attachment with the work inside Unfolding Soul and even more will be inspired by the words. For lovers of poetry, I think this book would be a great add to the reading list. 

Teaser Tuesday (60)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Unfolding Soul (p.12)
   - Dennis T. Maglinte

When whispers abound, enjoy the silent lashes.

from the poem Silent Lashes