Humid Pitch: Narrative Poetry

Rating:
Summary: Powerful poetry about women's lives
Review: In "Humid Pitch," African-American poet Cheryl Clarke creates a rich collection of narrative poems that tell the lives of a variety of women. As in Clarke's other books, a major emphasis is on the lives and loves of Black lesbians. Sensuous, earthy, and grounded in the vernacular speech of African-Americans, "Humid Pitch" is an excellent example of Clarke's poetic vision.

More than half of the book consists of Clarke's multi-part masterpiece entitled "Epic of Song." This extended narrative poem tells the story of Mourning Star Blue, a rural Black girl who joins a traveling troupe of performers led by Mean Candy Sweat, an imperious diva. A stunning exploration of eroticism and the artistic spirit, "Epic of Song" is a remarkable achievement.

The many shorter narratives which complete this collection introduce the reader to a variety of fascinating characters, including an escaped slave girl ("Bulletin"), a single mother during the Depression ("Ella Takes up the Slack,") and "a black nun in a white order" ("Frances Michael"). Clarke boldly travels through time and her poet's voice never falters.

"Humid Pitch" is a companion volume, in both style and themes, to Clarke's earlier book, "Narratives: Poems in the Tradition of Black Women." But whether or not you have read that book, check out "Humid Pitch."

Rating:
Summary: Powerful poetry about women's lives
Review: In "Humid Pitch," African-American poet Cheryl Clarke creates a rich collection of narrative poems that tell the lives of a variety of women. As in Clarke's other books, a major emphasis is on the lives and loves of Black lesbians. Sensuous, earthy, and grounded in the vernacular speech of African-Americans, "Humid Pitch" is an excellent example of Clarke's poetic vision.

More than half of the book consists of Clarke's multi-part masterpiece entitled "Epic of Song." This extended narrative poem tells the story of Mourning Star Blue, a rural Black girl who joins a traveling troupe of performers led by Mean Candy Sweat, an imperious diva. A stunning exploration of eroticism and the artistic spirit, "Epic of Song" is a remarkable achievement.

The many shorter narratives which complete this collection introduce the reader to a variety of fascinating characters, including an escaped slave girl ("Bulletin"), a single mother during the Depression ("Ella Takes up the Slack,") and "a black nun in a white order" ("Frances Michael"). Clarke boldly travels through time and her poet's voice never falters.

"Humid Pitch" is a companion volume, in both style and themes, to Clarke's earlier book, "Narratives: Poems in the Tradition of Black Women." But whether or not you have read that book, check out "Humid Pitch."