and artists like the renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers,
As I stated to my colleague on the train, once I closed
Dunbar. The timeline that contextualizes the stories
Langston — not necessarily in terms of style or lyrical
sculptor Edmonia Lewis, and poet Paul Laurence
extends from 1816-2012, beginning with the founding of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church and concluding
with the second election of President Obama.
A standout piece is “McKoy Twins Syncopated Star,”
wherein Jess revels in his ability to deftly interweave
a compelling visual narrative with lines like “—we’re
fused in blood and body — from one thrummed stem/
budding twin blooms of song.” Allusions to the work
of poems like Ntozake Shange’s “Sorry” come through
in excerpts such as “Fear. I got no use for it. Fear
these pages I came to the conclusion that Tyehimba is our
sensibility, but in terms of proficiency and historical
impact. It is the rigor with which this book archives history,
offers new narratives and context for the “characters”
it contains that leads me to the conclusion that readers
a century from now will count this among the treasures
that are emblematic of this era. This stunning work of
reclamation is a book for the ages.
Olio
by Tyehimba Jess
never paid one bill nor put one morsel in my mouth,”
Wave Books, 224 pages
illustrations by Jessica Lynne Browne that adeptly
www.wavepoetry.com/products/olio
in his “Lottie Joplin, Part 2.” He also incorporates
punctuate the poems and offer a powerful visual
ISBN # 9781940696201 (paperback) — $25
complement to the work.
Memoir Writing Workshop Starts Oct. 12, 2016!
Bring a Writing Buddy!
Do you have a story to tell the
world? This workshop is for anyone
interested in writing. You will be
guided in the process of crafting a
well-told story in a nurturing
environment. Create an outline for
your book or revise written work in
8 sessions. Fee: $225.
Venue: 270 W. 96 St., NYC
Call: 212-865-2982 or
www.africanvoices.com
Workshops - Wednesdays, 10/12/16-12/7/16
african Voices
25