The Venus Hottentot: Poems
This strong collection of poems explores the realm of African-American culture. The poems interweave blues, jazz, art, and ancestry into historical compositions, all rendered in sharp imagery. Witness these lines from "A Poem for Nelson Mandela": "I smell barbecue from every direction/and hear black hands tolling church bells,/hear wind hissing through elm trees/through dry grasses." It is evident that Alexander has an eye for accuracy in describing the past as well as the present, but this work is more than reportage; it is a very imaginative collection of poems that should appeal to many readers. The subject matter is varied and well thought out and, yes, most libraries should have a copy.- Le nard D. Moore, Writer-in-Residence, Wake Cty. Arts Council,Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.