Rivers… and Other Blackness… Between Us by D’Bi Young Anitafrika
By Ratasha Smith • Oct 13th, 2008 • Category: Book Review •
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d’bi.young.anitafrika’s words flow forceful, gushing and free on African Diaspora issues and educate the reader through rivers…and other blackness…between us. d’bi tells these story-like poems with the passion, wisdom and flow of the ancestral African griots of old.
I absolutely love the way she flows into the patois of her native Jamaica–it gives the poetry a strong feel with ties that join the contemporary with the faith and advice that one would hear from an elder. For example, the piece titled, “foolishness.” This poem is written in the flow of the Jamaican dialect and “schools” the importance on how the black race must find a strategy and solutions to make a revolution. “We need nuff strategy, fi find a solution, nuff strategy fi mek revolushun.” These words ring strong and beautiful.
The reader gets this consistency, this pleasurable and educational flow of words and wisdom throughout the entire book. The wheels in my brain continued to churn. My energies within continued to burn as the words of this great poet resonated throughout me. I give this read two thumbs up and highly recommend it to TRUE lovers of poetry and those who seek power and wisdom through poetic words.
Reviewed by Coulee Eidos
APOOO BookClub
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Ratasha Smith is mothah, lovah, sista, daughta, friend--living flesh of the ancestors that bring strength, courage, always seeking wisdom, true to self, knowledge of self, love self, love others, respect earth, lifelong student (English major) and teacher--aint nothin like escaping and releasing through the written and oral word--can't live without it, just not possible
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