Reviews (1)

Barrington at her best
This is the poet's third book of poems and marks a big leap forward in confidence, grasp of form, and weight of subject matter. She is sometimes funny, often wise, and the poems are elegant, some in traditional forms, others merely musical. There is a notable work about New York's twin towers ("AfterImage") written in old accentual verse, which, in its true form, falls into two columns remarkably like the towers themselves. There are a few political poems, transforming righteous indignation into poetry, and many poems rooted in the natural world and focusing on animals. The horses of the title appear even in poems not directly about them. This book will appeal to a wide range of readers including those normally wary of poetry. It is both accessible and a good read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. American Contemporary Poetry    3. Gay & Lesbian    4. Lesbian    5. Poetry    6. Women Authors    7. Poetry / General   

Features

• Unabridged
• Unknown format

Reviews (1)

If you love a butch or being a butch you will LOVE this book
This book really captures the essence of "butch" . I laughed out loud or smiled througheach and every page. It also is a great read aloud book for lovers. If you love a good butch this book will put your feelings into words, if you are a good butch you will see yourself. Just like great lesbian humor ? You will love this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Asia - Japan    3. Form - Limericks & Verse    4. Gay Studies    5. General    6. Humor    7. Lesbians    8. Poetry    9. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Poetry    3. Poetry / Single Author / American    4. 20th Century American Poetry    5. American    6. American Contemporary Poetry    7. Lesbians' writings, American    8. Single Author - American (General)   

Reviews (5)

Was Sappho a lesbian ?
Sappho takes a special place among the poets of Antiquity. Plato already said that she was the tenth Muse.It's really refreshing to read her poems. They are very vivid and she needs only a few words to describe essential human feelings.
the Lesbian lesbian
Because Sappho was a Lesbian who wrote about lesbian love, her poetry was banned at times throughout the ages, and therefore to this day there are only surviving fragments of her work and almost no complete poems. But of the fragments there is more than enough to ensure her place as one of the great female poets of all time. She wrote mainly love poems about things like passion, jealousy, and hostility towards her enemies. This book includes all of her surviving verse in a very readable and enjoyable translation.
"there's so much beauty..."
Rich Mullins once wrote "there's so much beauty around us for just two eyes to see." And so it is with the poetry of this ancient Greek lady Sappho. Without her extra eyes, I would be robbed of some sights I could not have found without her. For instance, in one of her poems, she writes:Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient and Classical    2. General    3. Greece    4. Poetry    5. Women    6. Lesbian studies    7. Other prose: classical, early & medieval   

Reviews (3)

The Miracle of Love
This is simply a beautiful book. The format is basic; its moderate-sized square pages sit well in one's hand. A brief bit of blank verse appears on the left page, a photo on the right. Imagery ranges from silken to stone, and from flesh to flame. The images vary: one (p.59) is the black of death, the one before is red death on white, if you think about it. Others are affectionate (p.39), eternal (p.63), or tender (p.36) with a hint of passion on the page that follows.
A poetic history of same-sex love.
In 1988, Alan Moore, fresh from the success of Watchmen, self-published AARGH! (Artists Against Rampant Government Homophobia), an anthology designed to fight the infamous Clause 28, one of the more homophobic moves of the Thatcher British Government. Moore's own contribution to the anthology was The Mirror of Love, an eight-page strip recounting the history of homosexuality, drawn by Steve Bissette and Rick Veitch, his collaborators on Swamp Thing. An eloquent and powerful book
Alan Moore originally wrote THE MIRROR OF LOVE in 1988 as a response to Great Britain's infamous Clause 28, which prevented local authorities from "promoting" homosexuality. In actuality, its intent was to banish all trace of homosexuality. It was one of many stories included in the comic book anthology AARGH! (Artists Against Rampant Government Homophobia), and drawn by Steve Bissette and Rick Veitch. This new edition of the work is a hard cover book published by Top Shelf.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bisexuals    2. Gay Studies    3. Gay men    4. Graphic Novels    5. Graphic Novels - General    6. History    7. Homosexuality    8. Lesbians    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Comics & Graphic Novels / General    12. Literature of special Gay & Lesbian interest    13. Poetry & poets   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. American - General    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. General    6. Lesbian Studies    7. Lesbians    8. Literary    9. Novelists, American    10. Poetry    11. United States    12. Social Science / Lesbian Studies    13. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Editorial Review

Twenty years ago, an anthology of poetry by openly gay and lesbian writers would have been uneven at best, and at worst an embarrassment. Even now, as the editors of this watershed volume attest, a number of our more accomplished poets (mostly of the "pre-Stonewall generation") decline to have their sexual identities made public, or their work associated with gay and lesbian culture. One hopes that their reluctance won't prevent them from reading Read more

Reviews (2)

Nice Cover; Hit or Miss Contents
I commend the editors for the packaging. But as my momma once pointed out, pretty packages can be deceiving. And there is no greater disappointment than opening some tantalizing package only to discover that what's underneath the pleasant surface is socks! Oh, certainly there's a bit of meat and substance, but not nearly what you were hoping to sink your teeth into. I chewed thoughtfully over phrases by Dennis Cooper, Mark Bibbins, Carl Phillips and D. A. Powell. But Marilyn Hacker and Mary Doty left me limp. And the editors showed no shame in including yards of their own weak material, cheapening the overall effect of an otherwise interesting line of garments. For shame, girls!

A More Open Tour of an Enriched Country, This Time
After waiting a decade for this one, I'm immenselyrelieved. This book's only predecessor was a "landmark" (butlimited) 1988 collection edited by C. Morse and J. Larkin (out of print). Suppose that "reading an anthology" is like "visiting a foreign country." Well, in its well-meant attempt to raise political awareness, that earlier book seemed to trumpet multicultural diversity, which often drowned out artistic excellence in the tradeoff. As if on an official tour of a totalitarian country, I encountered many blatty propaganda lectures, touring the factories and monuments (poems with messages). But where were "the people," the individual poets' voices and craft? Thin work seemed included just so all minority-groups were included. A decade later, not so here this time! In THE WORLD IN US, ideology defers to the hundred true flowers of literary artistry for its own sake. In the 221 poems of these 46 currently-writing American poets, I can (to continue the travel analogy) depart from the Intourist route, can visit the "neighborhood cafes" where true "plural voices" speak--not those of ethnic groups, but of fingerprint-unique individual writers. I see the "flower gardens" of imagery, the "craft shops" of polished language. I view the "playgrounds" where poet-athletes sportively play with fixed forms, with the cool-toned mature control which is good style. In short, last decade's liberationist necessities have matured out here to where the only Message, is the poem's vision itself.You'll surely enjoy. My only regret is that only 46 writers appear. I would have preferred a goal which the editors explicitly rejected, "an overview or a broad sampling of the field." Instead, they sought "a long, curated poetry reading in book form." But my personal preference here cannot be a valid criticism of their decision which was bona fide. And anyhow 221 poems is a rich bouquet indeed.....I was glad to see included, co-editor Lassell's poem "How To Watch Your Brother Die." I taught this perennial blockbuster for semesters in college freshman English 101. Always, its magic turned surly, resistant, and yes, homophobic student-readers into thoughtful, changed appreciators. Now there you do have both political awareness and also poetic artistry pulling in tandem. You also have it in many of the other 220 flowers in this foreign, familiar land. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Anthologies (multiple authors)    3. Poetry    4. Poetry / Anthologies (multiple authors)   

Reviews (1)

Some real gems in this book
This is a truly wonderful book of poetry.I borrowed it from a college friend eight years ago, and NEVER RETURNED IT.I know, that's really rude, but every time I think about returning it, I can't bear to part with it.Now that I can buy it from Amazon.com, I'll finally return my friend's copy."The Truth About High Heels" is my absolute favorite Poem in the book.Nancy has a wonderful gift of translating life into words.I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Feminism    3. Fiction    4. Lesbians    5. Literary collections    6. Poetry    7. Women    8. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (1)

Oooh la la!
My first day on the net ... I didn't just dip my toe in ... I posted a few Chrystos lines from this book and received some mighty powerful responses.This collection is not just erotic poetry ... it is the butch/femme dance done with lust, grace, joy ... a pleasure to behold and even more of a pleasure to share.This book was my first gift to my new love and ahhhh, what a dance it inspired.Chrystos puts it out there blatantly -- let's us see and feel the arousal -- head held high as she twirls in that bright red dress.Take this book to bed and feel the tingle ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. American Contemporary Poetry    3. Lesbians    4. Poetry    5. English    6. Gay & Lesbian studies    7. USA   

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. California    3. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    4. Indian lesbians    5. Indians of North America    6. Lesbian Studies    7. Maidu Indians    8. Poetry   

Reviews (7)

Writers Notes 2004 Book Award Winner
In the form of a refined diary, Avery provides a nearby view of the falling of the World Trade Center. A brief window of ten days reveals the immediacy and raw emotion of a gathering opinion, and as the smoke clears, she passes through panic, fear, grief, and a bit of naivety, while her life, city, and country change forever.

beautiful.moving.
I read this book slowly: it was too compelling to not want to read, too beautiful to stop and too hard to read in one swallow.It is personal and intimate.But it gives a much deeper appreciation of not only one woman's experience of that trauma, but also what the nation must have felt.I recommend it to anyone who wants a personal account of that time.Something much deeper, more heartfelt and ultimately more sane and thoughtful than any kind of "war on terror" reactionary work that might be out there.

"Stay Human"
Ellis Avery's The Smoke Week is an extraordinary book.By turns telegraphic, conversational, intimate, and lyrical -- even, around the edges, a little funny -- she writes of the first hours and days after the destruction of the World Trade Center with an attention to detail and a refusal of clich� that puts most other accounts of those days to shame.It's as though, right there downtown with disaster coming on, she began to observe as carefully and compassionately as she possibly could, to keep herself sane -- and the fine sentences here, the precisely rendered stories, are the result.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Lesbian Studies    3. Literary    4. Personal Memoirs    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. United States - 21st Century    8. United States - General    9. Biography & Autobiography / General    10. Ellis Avery    11. USA    12. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Subjects:  1. Anthologies (multiple authors)    2. Gay & Lesbian    3. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    4. Gays' writings    5. Homosexuality    6. Lesbians' writings    7. Poetry    8. Gay & Lesbian studies    9. Literary Criticism & Collections / General    10. Poetry texts & anthologies   

Editorial Review

This is the new, expanded edition of a groundbreaking volume of poetry first published in 1978, 11 years before Parker's early death of breast cancer. Based in the Bay Area and steeped in the radical politics of the late 1960s, Parker was the contemporary of Audre Lorde, Adrienne Rich, and LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka. In her introduction, Cheryl Clarke identifies Parker as a "lead voice and caller" in the lesbian-feminist cultural scene, but chides her for careless editing, as if Parker feared that her vernacular poems would lose their power if she subjected them to cold critique. Her most potent works do rely on an inspired punch line rather than carefully plumed images or language, as in "For Willyce," when she describes making love to a woman: Read more

Reviews (4)

A wonderful lady
I was introduced to this book by a professor at my University.She asked me to make copies of one of the poems.I started reading it and had to have my own copy.I had never heard of her before but I will certainly search for more of her work.All of the poems were excellent.Its a short volume that can be read in one sitting which I highly recommend you do.This lady has been added to my list of favorite poets.I think she put her soul in this book.You must read it.

A true poet of the people
Pat Parker died of cancer in 1989, the year of her 45th birthday. But she left behind a body of poetry in which she celebrated life. Parker wrote directly from and about her experiences as an African-American lesbian and feminist, but her work is relevant to readers regardless of their own gender, ethnic heritage, or sexual orientation. Parker's work sparkles with humor and compassion even while it confronts painful subjects. Poetry to be Read Aloud
Pat Parker is an incredible poet, I had the pleasure of being introduced to, while attending college.She speaks simply, she speaks reality, she speaks energy.I could never read a Pat Parker poem, silently.Her words were meant to be spoken aloud.So, I did and I still do.I recomend her poetry to everyone.You do not have to be black to understand her.You do not have to be a lesbian or a woman, for that matter.She speaks to the soul about a common thread, human frailty. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American lesbians    2. African Americans    3. American - General    4. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    5. General    6. Lesbian Studies    7. Poetry    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. American English    11. Black studies    12. English    13. Poetry & poets: from c 1900 -    14. USA    15. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (1)

Forty Compelling Stories
Forty Individual Stories of warmth and blessing that cover the history and growth of the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered movement within the Presbyterian Church (USA).Told from the point of view of those who havelived it, one cannot help but find God's Love and Blessing in each of theirlives.All too often, only one side of this complex issue of inclusion isheard, without the fairness of balance.This book makes and excellentattempt at telling the other side.It is non-judgmental, nor is itdefensive.The words written and shared here are done so in love. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bisexual    2. Christian    3. Gay    4. Homosexuality    5. Lesbian    6. Presbyterian Church    7. Transgendered   

Subjects:  1. American    2. American - General    3. American Contemporary Poetry    4. Lesbian Studies    5. Poetry   

Reviews (2)

Brilliant
It is so rare to encounter a writer who handles difficult material--life, death, love, joy,--yet does it with a light touch, a unique voice, exquisite prose, and most important, with a wicked sense of humor.Wicked, wicked.Justin Chin is the real thing.

Complex resonance
Rarely does a book of poetry leave a reader with an experience of so many deep mixed emotions: joy, despair, anger, humor, etc. The longer complex poems ("Imagining America", "Little Everest In Your Palm", "Homomonument") contrast sharply with the humorous short prose poems like "Neo Testament" showing the range of Chin's writing ability. Some of the pieces are downright silly, like "Contents Page to the Book of Poems I Have Yet to Write", but that's okay because they provide relief from the heavy weight of a young poet's reflections on mortality. Great reading for times of personal reflection... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Asian American gays    3. Asian American men    4. Asian Americans    5. Gay Studies    6. HIV-positive men    7. Lesbian Studies    8. Poetry    9. Literature of special Gay interest    10. Poetry / Asian    11. Poetry / General    12. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (1)

At Last Bryher's first Novels in Print again!
I am thrilled that this title is finally available.It consists of the first two novels by the British author known as Bryher. An amazing and under appreciated author, philanthropist, educator and more. The two novelsare "Development" which has been called "the story of theartist as young dyke" and "Two Selves" a coded-lesbian lovestory.Read more

Subjects:  1. Autobiographical fiction, Engl    2. Autobiographical fiction, English    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. General    6. Lesbian    7. Lesbians    8. American English    9. Biography: general    10. Literature of special Lesbian interest    11. Modern fiction    12. Other prose: from c 1900 -    13. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (1)

Good, but has she lost her relevance?
I have long been an admirer of Rich's beautiful poetry and ideas.Even though a male reader, I have found her company through her books over theyears some of the best.However, in this volume, there is a real lack ofvision.Rich comes accross at times like a parody of herself and hercauses--instead of celebrating the victories, she acts as if she is hiddenand on-the-run.This attitude hurts this otherwise interesting book.Hermeditations on aging that appear throughout several poems in this volumeare affecting and exciting, but there is still something missing.Ifyou've never read Rich before, start with the works of the seventies; ifyou have read and loved Rich, then pick this up and settle in with a dear,if slightly crusty, slightly out-of-touch old friend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    3. Lesbian Studies    4. Poetry    5. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Subjects:  1. American poetry    2. Anthologies (multiple authors)    3. Gay & Lesbian    4. Gay Studies    5. Gays' writings, American    6. Lesbians    7. Literary Criticism    8. Literatures    9. Poetry    10. United States    11. Literature of special Gay & Lesbian interest    12. Poetry texts & anthologies