In the Whirlwind
In the Whirlwind
Lulu
Category:
Poetry
Publisher: Whirlwind Publishing
ISBN-10: 0978935519
Type: Non-Fiction
Pages: 77
Copyright: May 8, 2007
ISBN-13: 9780978935511
Still Living on my Feet is the follow up to Tichaona Chinyelu’s first book, In the Whirlwind, which was rooted in a sense of hard-hitting revolutionary black love. However, in this sophomore effort, Tichaona brings the revolutionary essence from deep within the trough of her Y chromosomes; lacing it with truths, humor and sisterly compassion. Still uncompromising, Ms. Chinyelu overtly articulates the primacy of black women without negating their compliment, black men. Using a sentence she coined a while back; the line of my back needed straightening more than my hair, as her muse, Tichaona retraces the spiritual experience she had in her early twenties revolving around the grandmother she never met. Drawing on her desire to respond righteously, she encapsulated that experience of love and consciousness to produce the progressive, relevant and textured writings of Still Living on my Feet.
Excerpt
I feel the stress on my shoulders dissipating
as I open up to the quiet
and peace offered as a greeting
from those I love.
Tonight I’m not going to say
no justice/no peace.
Tonight I’m going to say
peace be unto you;
as it is unto me.
|
The cover design which was created by David Lockett of David Lockett Designs, Inc., speaks for itself. It is a strong portrayal of African-American culture, tradition, roots and ancestry.
What particularly drawn me to this book, was the title, it is very abstract, but yet powerful. Sometimes in life, when we feel the battles have been us down, we have to stand and live on our feet, or we can allow them to beat us down. It is clearly evident that Tichaona has experienced life’s trials and tribulations and remains standing strong in the midst of life’s obstacles.
Five Stars Rating
Reviewed by Afrika Midnight Asha Abney
www.authorsden.com/afrikamaabney