Amazon Category:  Poetry Publisher: Protective Hands Communications ISBN-10:  97809818990 Pages: 71 Copyright: November 2010 Can't, Can't Be is a book of poetry by award winning poet, I. Renai Collins. Her poetry covers all aspects of the personal life experience. Renai takes you on a journey of your past, remembering those life changing experiences with your mother and grandmother. She explores the intimacy and the hurt of male, female relationships. She helps the reader visualize a brighter day and a better world. You will transcend the moment. Product Description - Amazon Can't, Can't Be is a book of poetry by award winning poet, I. Renai Collins. Her poetry covers all aspects of the personal life experience. Renai takes you on a journey of your past, remembering those life changing experiences with your mother and grandmother. She explores the intimacy and the hurt of male, female relationships. She helps the reader visualize a brighter day and a better world. You will transcend the moment. Excerpt Can't, Can't Be I chuckle at can’t, laugh at maybe grin at I guess and say to them all “You will see, I know I can, because it is up to me!” Doubt, get lost. Quit, take a hike. Sad, move over. There is no room for you in my life. I have positive on my side. I have sure I can anchored in my soul I have I will, It can be done in the palm of my hand. I believe in me and I say, ha, Can’t, Can’t Be... I.Renai Collins (c) 1993 All Rights Reserved “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

African Fine, Author
All too often, we are inundated by negativity from the world around us. The stories of war, poverty, cruelty and sadness can threaten the resolve of even the most determined optimist. But I. Renai Collins’ poetry shines with a hopefulness that touches us deeply. She writes from the heart about the essence of our lives – family, beauty, and yes, love. Yet, this is not a collection of poetry that ignores the darker side of life. In “Remember Me,” the protagonist demands that her legacy be one of humanity, not perfection, and in “Colors,” Renai recounts the tale of a teenage victim of gang violence. However, even when Renai writes of pain it is covered in the grit of survival; we are left with no doubt that, although one’s past have yielded disappointments, the future offers goodness and light. In “Solid,” Renai writes: “Know my past/I do/my future/now I face/my roots are/firmly planted/I cannot/be moved.” It is this determination to be optimistic that sets Renai’s poetry apart; it is this determination that makes Can’t, Can’t Be a unique pleasure to read. - Africa Fine Author of Katrina, Becoming Maren and Looking for Lily

Steve White, Publisher
I continue to be amazed at the power of the word. Whether written or spoken, words can and will change your life. I. Renai Collins understands the power of the word and she has put her words to use in the form of poetry that will grab you from the very moment that you open her book. You will confront “Fear,” but you will refuse to let your “flame… be snuffed out before it is lit.” As you near the end of the book you will “transcend greed…and your eyes be opened by the truth, never to be blind again.” When you close this book after reading it the first time, although you will read it many, many times again, you will know without a doubt, that “what you dream really can come true.” Let the words change your life. - Steve White Publisher, Protective Hands Communications