Kissing God Goodbye: Poems 1991-1997

i don't know many poets who are as risky as june jordan in their poetics. what a singular voice in american letters. she has such a command of craft--especially with vertical rhythm. the cadence of her poetry is such that you are compelled to listen/ read her lyrical truth from word to precious word. she doesn't come to pretty conclusions, and is down right blunt. in "bosnia, bosnia" she states: too bad there is no oil between her legs that 14 year old Muslim girl. or her own internal and external debate with "god": he has no dominion over me/ my name is freedom/ my name is female. and even through all this, she manages such empathy, such tenderness. she does not obliterate anyone--not even god. she KISSES god goodbye. a loving gesture, even to one in whom she does not agree with. i can think of so few poets who write of current affairs and current conflicts with such rich detail--with such urgency. in my humble opinion, a must read.

All I can say is amazing. June Jordan writes poems that truly speak to you. They are filled with love, outrage, humor. She has a down to earth writing style that anyone can understand. Says say what she wants to say honestly, without regret about topics like race, sexuality, war, brutality, and oppression. If you enjoy poetry this is a must read.