Like many folks who may be drawn to this title, I'm an incoming fan of Stringellow's _Memphis_. I've been burned before by novelists whose forays into poetry leave me less than enthusiastic, but this is not one of those times. Stringfellow DELIVERS here.

This collection is extremely accessible. I planned to read a couple of poems and then come back to the rest over a few days, but I instead read the entire batch in one sitting and bookmarked the release date so that I can come back then and figure out which of these I'll teach next semester in my college literature courses. If Stringfellow's goal is to - in part - expose more students to varied perspectives (see the fabulous author's note at the end of the collection), well, then this group of poems is going to help many educators (me included) work toward that aim.

Throughout, there's a strong sense of speaker/persona, characterization, setting, and theme, and while the poems stand out individually, I also really appreciate the messaging they reinforce as a group. I truly cannot wait to share these with my students, and I anticipate strong, positive reactions.

5 stars

Like many folks who may be drawn to this title, I'm an incoming fan of Stringellow's _Memphis_. I've been burned before by novelists whose forays into poetry leave me less than enthusiastic, but this is not one of those times. Stringfellow DELIVERS here.

This collection is extremely accessible. I planned to read a couple of poems and then come back to the rest over a few days, but I instead read the entire batch in one sitting and bookmarked the release date so that I can come back then and figure out which of these I'll teach next semester in my college literature courses. If Stringfellow's goal is to - in part - expose more students to varied perspectives (see the fabulous author's note at the end of the collection), well, then this group of poems is going to help many educators (me included) work toward that aim.

Throughout, there's a strong sense of speaker/persona, characterization, setting, and theme, and while the poems stand out individually, I also really appreciate the messaging they reinforce as a group. I truly cannot wait to share these with my students, and I anticipate strong, positive reactions.

3.5 stars — “Even a century of two later this world still needs proof a Black woman is the strongest compound God could ever forge”
That was such a verse! I enjoyed this poetry book. There were some parts that went over my head a bit but there were some that really made me think. Some instances were very relatable to me and others I know.