Subjects:  1. American Contemporary Poetry (Anthologies)    2. General    3. Literature - Classics / Criticism    4. Poetry    5. Women As Authors (American Literature)   

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Lesbians    3. Poetry    4. Poetry texts & anthologies   

Reviews (1)

A powerful and passionate work of art.
Native American poet Chrystos was born in 1946 in San Francisco and is part of a group classified by the Federal Government as "urban indians."Remarkably self-educated and a brilliant artist as well as a writer, Chrystos, in Not Vanishing, sets out to dispel the common stereotypes, myths, and misconceptions that are associated with Native people as well as to educate her readers on how issues of oppression, class, gender, and colonialism have affected the Native American culture.Like her contemporaries, Joy Harjo and Simon Ortiz, Chrystos utters a poetic voice that is exceptionally powerfull and also remarkably distinctive.In her own words, Chrystos states, "My purpose is to make it as clear & as inescapably as possible, what the actual material conditions of out lives are" (i).This sort of overt, political agenda provides a stark, realistic insight into contemporary Native life and a unique approach that perhaps has only been paralled by Paula Gunn Allen.Dealing with such issues as poverty, homosexuality, drug addiction, and urban decadence, Chrystos creates an urgency in her poetry calling for a return to ritual and tribal spirituality that upheld the Native culture before the appearance of whites on American soil.There is also in her poetry, an expression of an existing economic oppression in which Native American workers desperately cling to infertile tribal lands while trying to make a living off of facsimiles of their own cultural and religious artifacts, thuscontributing to their own exploitation.Balancing off the direct, sometimes angry, fierce tone are the aesthetic poems which sharply contrast her political verse and reveal her depth and creativity as a versatile poet.Through these poems, Chrystos explores her own sensuality and yearning for spiritual renewal with nature imagery and deeply poignant moments of reflection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction - General    2. Lesbian    3. Poetry   

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Lesbians    5. Literary collections    6. Poetry    7. Working class women    8. American English    9. Biography: general    10. Lesbian studies    11. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Poetry    3. Women's Studies    4. Lesbian   

Reviews (1)

Words Remain
Black, feminist, lesbian, mother, and warrior poet are all words that Audre Lorde used to describe herself.Her professional accomplishments are unquestionable; she authored several collections of poetry, was a National Book Award nominee, published a work of fiction that she called a biomythography, was a professor, editor and publisher.Her personal life was also quite complicated; it included difficult childhood, growing up legally blind, and her battle with cancer.CONVERSATIONS WITH AUDRE LORDE helps readers better understand Lorde as an individual and bring deeper meaning to the dichotomous aspects of her personality.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. American - African American & Black    3. American - General    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Feminist    7. Feminists    8. Interviews    9. Lesbians    10. Literary    11. Literature - Classics / Criticism    12. Lorde, Audre    13. Poetry    14. Poets, American    15. United States   

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Feminism    3. Lesbians    4. Poetry    5. Social problems    6. Women   

Reviews (15)

Have emotions, or want to develop some?
Penelope and Cara, the protagonists of this novel, share many attributes.They are both lesbians, feminists, dubliners, schoolmates, friends, and lovers.There are two very enormous differences between them though and it's these differences, sprinkled between the similarities, that make this novel ring so true and devastating and joyous:one (pen)is loyal and cara is not.And pen is alive, while cara has just died in one of those "who would've thought " car accidents that seem to strike with terrifying random and frequency.
I cannot put into words how much I love this book.
I have read this book many times, and at times it makes me sob with bitter sadness, and at other times it makes me laugh out loud.The writing is exquisite; the bathtub scene (Pen's memory of a peaceful time with her and her recently deceased lover) captures perfectly what the essence of love is.It's beautiful.The frustration that Pen feels at having to keep silent about her partner's death (because she works at a Catholic school and because she lives in Ireland) transmits frustration to the readers as well -- but not in that hokey, "oh being a lesbian is so hard" preachy way.It is Pen's evolution as she learns to cope with Cara's death and to face certain truths she didn't want to deal with previously.I also believe that it is a beautiful love story but in a realistic way - the main characters are not perfect, yet their love is so intense.It's not a "romance" -- it's a real-life, complex love story.I haven't been as big a fan of Donoghue's other novels so far, but this one stands out as exceptional for its writing, story line and character development. Read Hood -- with a box of tissues nearby.

Uncommon
Whenever I encounter a novel with homosexual themes, I usually roll my eyes.You can predict what's going to happen most of the time: the two fall in love, they disagree about coming out/ one gets beat up/ they have to hide/ etc., they are pulled apart, then they come back together against all odds and love overcomes all.Read more

Subjects:  1. English Poetry    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Lesbian    5. Lesbians   

Subjects:  1. Poetry   

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Lesbians    3. Poetry    4. Social problems    5. Women    6. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Subjects:  1. Gay & Lesbian studies   

Reviews (1)

the mouth of home
Reading The Mouth of Home is a sensorium for all the various senses. Arousing wonder and awe in the elements that surround our being which arenormally comsumed by the daily rote. Feeling the raw observations of CarlSandburg and the cleansing revival of Walt Whitman in the textured poesy. Janelle Moon has certainly achieved a paragon for the infusion ofreflection and inspiration for our contemporary lives.Thank you Ms Moonfor the awakening! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. General    3. Lesbians    4. Poetry   

Reviews (3)

A translation.
More or less 150 years after Homer's Iliad, Sappho lived on the island of Lesbos west off the coast what is present Turkey. (Due to political upheavel she went two times in exile, the second time to Sicily for a short time ).
Elegant in its simplicity
This polished translation brilliantly reflects those spare but sparkling lines from the winsome poet of a lonely isle and heart.I find it still superb after many readings.Highly recommended.

Achingly Beautiful
"To Eros:You crush me." The tenderness and splendor of Sappho's poetry has never been so lusciously rendered as in this translation.Every little word sings with love and warmth.Thank you,Willis Barnstone, for omitting the cumbersone ellipses and brackets oftranslations past.Now we can enjoy Sappho's passion undisturbed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Continental European    2. General    3. Greece    4. Lesbian    5. Poetry    6. Sappho    7. Translations into English    8. Women    9. Poetry / General    10. Works by individual poets: classical, early & medieval   

Reviews (1)

A breath of fresh air
I loved this play, I could relate to each character as if they had been friends throughout my life.It has wonderful clarity and so easily read.The author blind sided me though because it ended far too early.I wish it had a few 100 more pages! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century American Poetry    2. Drama    3. Lesbians    4. Plays   

Reviews (4)

Strong, with flaws
A solid collection, though there are some howlers.A great resource for the study of lesbian poetry as it dawned upon general literary acceptance.Good place to start,a nd filled with good contemporary samples.

connects the hearts of women across the world
This book runs the gamet of female emotions and tells us words we've all familiar with.For me, this book was very familiar.I was left nodding in agreement after quite a few poems.There are quite a few excellent poemsbut they are sadly balanced by a few un-poetic attempts to run wordstogether in a seemingly poetic way.

Love Poems
There is something about reading that which you can relate to that is inherently beautiful.I found that some of these poems were really beautiful and quite well done.However, I was slightly disappointed thatmore weren't so.Some of them seemed rushed without thought or edit. Although you may not agree...the only way to judge is to read the bookyourself.There isn't any harm in it.We lesbians should read and supportall lesbian writing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Contemporary Poetry (Anthologies)    2. General    3. Lesbian    4. Lesbians    5. Lesbians' writings, American    6. Love poetry, American    7. Poetry    8. Sexuality In Literature    9. Sociology    10. Women authors    11. English    12. Social Science / Gay Studies    13. USA    14. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (1)

Wonderful selection of poems
I found this anthology when it was recommended in the book 'The Body of Love' by Tee A. Corinne and bought it to read the works of Jean Sirius, Tee Corinne, Joan Nestle, Leslea Newman, Susan Stinson and found the delightful work of 38 other artists.
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Subjects:  1. Erotic poetry, American    2. Lesbians    3. Lesbians' writings, American    4. Poetry    5. Women authors   

Editorial Review

These romantic, sensual, poignant, and humorous poems courageously describe lesbian experience in a way that pays tribute to the diverse and complex nature of women's sexuality. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Lyrical! Passionate! Exquisite!
WOW!!! This book is amazing. I don't usually care much for poetry, as I often find it dull or impossible to relate to. But this poetry was beautiful and moving. I could hardly put it down, wanting to wallow more in the luscious words, but at the same time I wanted to save the poems, to make the experience last as long as possible. The experience did last - I have read these poems over and over again, and each time I love and appreciate them more. Wow.
This is one of my favorite poetry collections.Oh, how much love, passion, laughter and tears are within these pages.I read it, front to back, in a day.I couln't put it down.What wonderful words to read and inspire a heart with love.

A feast of poetry and passion
An outstanding anthology of poetry from some incredible writers who compose with both skill andRead more

Subjects:  1. American Contemporary Poetry (Anthologies)    2. Anthologies (multiple authors)    3. Gay & Lesbian    4. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    5. General    6. Lesbians    7. Lesbians' writings, American    8. Love poetry, American    9. Poetry    10. Special Subjects In Literature    11. Women authors    12. American English    13. English    14. Gay & Lesbian studies    15. Literature of special Lesbian interest    16. Poetry / General    17. Poetry anthologies: from c 1900 -    18. USA   

Reviews (5)

Bull- Jean Rules
I have had this book for several years and each time I reread a story I gain a new appreciation for this book.I want more of Bull-Jean.

More Fun Than A Movie
In the haze of a Michigan Women's Festival delerium, standing next to Sharon Bridgforth in a bookstall, I bought her book, along with any other lesbian book of poetry I thought I might like. I've since reread this book repeatedly, recommended it repeatedly, and offer this opinion: If you like women, if you like to laugh, if you like a heart-breaking, soul-warming story, buy this book. Buy 12 of them.

The Blues like they were meant to be sung!
Sharon Bridgforth is a conjurer.She captures the voices of folks on the pages of this book whose stories would otherwise be lost in the wind.I laughed out loud, big old belly laughs, and read the stories aloud tofriends and family.This writer is a descendant of Langston Hughes and allthe folks who tell stories on the corner, in the back of the church, in thebeauty parlor and on the porch, looking at the sunset.Her deeply feltprose and poetry is redeeming.Thank you for one of the most enjoyableexperiences I've had as a reader in recent memory! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American lesbians    2. African American women    3. African Americans    4. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    5. Fiction    6. Fiction - General    7. Lesbian Studies    8. Poetry    9. Short Stories (single author)    10. Southern States   

Reviews (4)

HELP NEEDED "MERCY" POEM
Hi all,
BEST POET OF THE 21st CENTURY
Olga Broumas is the bearer of the ancient traditions of Hellenic culture and she has entwined this with the culture of her everyday life of America. This book embodies the true meaning of Western Civilization. There is no other like her. Buy this book and it will change your life!

I am moved
It's difficult to describe poetry in general, and Broumas's poetry in particular. I could say she is one of my favorite poets and Rave is one of my favorite books of poetry.Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Feminism    3. General    4. Lesbian    5. Lesbians    6. Mythology, Greek    7. Poetry    8. Women    9. Poetry / General   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - General    4. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. General    7. History    8. Homosexuality and literature    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Lesbians    11. Poets, American    12. United States    13. Biography: general