Life Power Soul takes a straightforward view of life and relationships and has something for everyone; simple poems that illicit vivid imagery, hard-hitting poems that motivate thought and spoken word poems that please the mind's palate.
Poetry should challenge you to think about your life and meditate on your past and future. It should incite you to feel the author's pains and joys. It should invite you to see things throught another's eyes. When necessary, it should inspire you to change the way you think, how you feel, and what you see. In other words, poetry should dare you to grow.
Life Power Soul takes a straightforward view of life and relationships and has something for everyone; simple poems that illicit vivid imagery, hard-hitting poems that motivate thought and spoken word poems that please the mind's palate.
This book fuses traditional poetry with spoken word and the musical influences of R&B and Hip Hop to create a free-flowing conversation between author and reader. If you enjoy poetry, whether it be traditional verse or free verse; if you enjoy sincere and direct commentary, whether it be spoken word or rap; if you enjoy the smooth melodies and lyrics of a good, soulful song; this book combines it all into a medley of poems designed to give voice to your Life, infuse Power and add Soul and inspiration through repetition and melody. Dare yourself to grow!
Excerpt
In the Time of Black and White TV’s
Young love undeterred
In the time of black and white TV’s
So was their romance
Ignited from embers unseen
Not easily explained
Beyond a simple lover’s glance
Not hidden but able
To spark a flame
In the wrong place and time
If whispers came
To the wrong ears of
Her taking his last name
Young love undeterred
In the time of a nation’s resilience
So was their romance
Able to withstand
Pressure from all sides
Ignoring raving and rants
For the chance
To become groom and bride
Together they stand unafraid
And unwilling to hide
From those who would gain
Satisfaction from seeing the tears cried
Young love undeterred
In the time of awakening freedom
So was their romance
Winning over family and friends
Expanding their roles within
Changing views one person
At a time and allowing
Hearts to mend
Proving to all that
Unwritten rules can bend
Providing a foundation
For another’s progress to begin
In the time of black and white TV’s
In the time of a nation’s resilience
In the time of awakening freedom
So was their romance
Young love undeterred
Professional Reviews
A View Into The Thoughts of A Man
2009 has been an historic year. From the inauguration of the first African American president to the Super bowl Championship lead by two Black head coaches. In 2009, we saw triumphs and failures, birth of new concepts and the death of kings. At the beginning of each year we create expectations and establish goals to fulfill our hopes.
In 2009 another dream was fulfilled by Junious R. Ward and I have the privilege to represent that fulfilled goal through the propagation of his newly published book Life Power Soul: A Compilation of Poetry and Spoken Word. Through poetic expression this book provides a rare introspective into the vulnerable aspects of the emotional valley of common man. The poetic styling of “Jay” (as he is most commonly known) encompasses a rhythm that causes its readers to sway to the underlying musical tempo. Jay’s background is clearly reflected throughout his works. Jay is one of two children from a biracial marriage and a product of life experience from life in the county and the city. The uniqueness of this book is a direct result of this background, but more so an expression from a “common man”. Ward’s artistic expression through this form of literary art is grounded in the technical traditions of the poetic process but his writings serve as an emotional ready reference for men whose words may seem limited based on societal dictated restrictions.
These views into the thoughts of a man are divided in the book into three sections; Life, Power and Soul in which each poem is categorized based upon its thematic connection to the section heading. The section entitled Life exposes the choices and challenges one faces that provides the platform for who one is and what one becomes. “Don’t you know a man, who shows no fear is scared”, states a verse from the poem The Inside of Love. Power speaks to the support and strength needed and acquired to accept one’s life position, determining how to face good and bad desires and recognition of the possible lack of control within life’s choices. This is echoed in The Message; “Imagine your son losing his soul, For a necklace, or a Lexus…Lies come in plaques, Truth comes in doses”. Honesty of heart and purity of thought is what the section entitled Soul bears as reflected in this passage:
Things I’m Sorry For
Deeds recalled with pain
Tears that fall like rain
My inability to explain
What she perceives as disdain
Tremendous loss with minimal gain
It is often said, “it is what it is” and “what you see is what you get” and that core of truthful expression is what you read in Life Power Soul: A Compilation of Poetry and Spoken Word. There is no fluff. The poetic world has a new dimension; words and works of the most unmentioned, a voice for the muted, a brother with a mission. My hope is that many read this book, but especially the men who feel voiceless.
WHISPERS OF THE HEART is artist and author J. Allen Wilson's second book of poetry.It can be autographed and shipped within 48 hours of order. NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
