Living
As a Lesbian : Poetry by
Cheryl Clarke
Living As a Lesbian is a stunning
collection of poetry by Cheryl Clarke. As the title indicates,
much of the book's content revolves around loving and surviving as
a lesbian in the 20th century. Clarke also writes about racism and
injustice, and reflects upon the people and events of her world.
Much of the book has a gritty, urban flavor to it.
In the poem "wearing my cap
backwards," Clarke writes, "poets are among the first
witches / so suffer none to live." This sets the tone for her
poetic style: edgy, dangerous, and allied with the most
marginalized elements of society. As she explores her
subjects--lesbian sex, racially biased courtrooms, recreational
drug use, road kill, and more--Clarke uses language that is
alternatingly lusty, playful, profane, enraged, and/or outraged.
Some of the most memorable selections from
"Living As a Lesbian" include "living as a lesbian
on the make," which narrates the adventure of a lesbian in a
"straight" bar; "Indira," an irony-laden
reflection on the life and public image of Indian leader Indira
Gandhi; and "sexual preference," a humorous meditation
on lesbian sexual practices.
As Clarke spins her poetic webs, she ensnares
many public figures: Jesse Jackson, Anita Bryant, Vanessa
Williams, and more. Her vision is international, multi-cultural,
and unbound by time: "i hear a marimba player chanting / her
slave song in Portuguese" (from "marimba"). As in
her other books, Clarke finds a wealth of inspiration in
African-American culture and history.
In the poem entitled "living as a lesbian
underground: a futuristic fantasy," Clarke writes,
"Leave signs of struggle. / Leave signs of triumph."
This book, along with Clarke's other volumes of poetry, contains
powerful signs of both struggle and triumph on the part of a
remarkable poet. -- Michael J. Mazza
Humid
Pitch : Narrative Poetry by
Cheryl Clarke
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. -- Michael
J. Mazza
