^{SPEAKING MY MIND…IN POETIC VERSE}

^{Poetry By Rhonda Swan}

^{Reviewed By Marjorie J. Hurst}

I had never been to a book signing in my life. And I had never been to a poetry reading, either. So, it was with no frame of reference and absolutely no expectations that I arrived at Edwards Books, located in Downtown Springfield at Tower Square, on a Thursday evening in April to celebrate National Poetry Month with a reading and book signing by Rhonda Swan.

To tell the truth, I arrived early with the intention of buying the book, getting it signed, photographing the author and leaving. Much to my surprise, I stayed to the end and enjoyed every minute. In fact, as I was driving home in my car, the only appropriate description of my feelings about the experience was--just as Oprah features “Aha” moments in her monthly magazine--this was my “Wow!” moment.

Or in more intelligible, descriptive language, the event was good beyond my wildest imagination. Take the fact that Rhonda looked so good -- attractive and confident just like one imagines a successful author should look. Then add to that the rhythmic power of her voice reading the words on the page with just the right inflection to make the images come alive. And finally, add the stark reality of the subjects that she writes about, and you have all the ingredients necessary for making my first experience attending this type of event a real winner.

Rhonda is a native of Springfield and a former Union News editor who now lives in Delaware with her three children. She is a product of the Springfield Public Schools where she was inspired to write at age 10 by a teacher at Washington Elementary School. And, yes, she is related to the Swans, all of whom came out to support her for her first book signing. In fact, there is a very poignant poem dedicated to her mother, DeLois Swan, entitled, “A Tribute to Dee,” that ends the book. There are also poems dedicated to her brother and grandmother and some inspired by other family members.

A lot of the poetry seems angry and she was asked why. She must be asked that question a lot because the book contains a “Preface” that explains exactly why.

I got permission from Rhonda to print some of the poems from her book in Point of View. (By the way, she said she liked the newspaper and as she turned the pages with an experienced eye, I knew that was a real compliment.) I wanted to print almost every poem I read like “I Forgive Me, Sisters,” “We Are Strong,” “The Letter,” “Response To The Sellout,” “Babies’ Daddies,” “Minority,” to name only a few. I couldn’t wait until I got home to have Rick read “The News Meeting” and “The Workplace” and I wanted to cry when Rhonda read “A Tribute To Dee.”

I finally decided to print only one of her poems but I hope I have tantalized you enough for you to go right out to Edwards Books at Tower Square where there are a few autographed copies of her book left, along with several copies that are not autographed. At $11.95 each, you can buy several, as I did, and give them as gifts. Rhonda is currently working on a novel that I have no doubt will be a big success.

_Preface

_{By Rhonda Swan (Reprinted by permission of the author)}

_{Some ask me why my poetry is always angry black woman stuff}

_{It’s not that I’m always angry, I just don’t do fluff}

_{I write about what I’m thinking or feeling at the time}

_{Whenever something moves me, I put it to rhyme}

_{And, I will admit, that a lot of times I’m pissed}

_{And when I put pen to paper, some may feel dissed}

_{But that doesn’t mean what I say is any less true}

_{Or has any less meaning for me and for you}

_{When I say brothers handle your business and take care of your own}

_{Or ask why so many kids diss those who are grown}

_{I’m just putting into words what’s already on your mind}

_{Hoping that something I say will open the eyes of the blind}

_{Those who can’t see or don’t care about the pain they cause}

_{Perhaps they will hear something to make them take pause}

_{Stop and think about their actions, what they do and don’t do}

_{That has a negative impact on me and on you}

_{Corrupt politicians, deadbeat dads and brutal racist cops}

_{Gang banging, school shootings, and driving while black stops}

_{Child molesters, domestic violence, heroin, AIDS and crack}

_{40 bullets ‘cause a wallet is a gun in the hands of somebody black}

_{Abner Louima, James Byrd and let’s not forget Rodney King}

_{All the lying and cheating after the wedding ring}

_{Our once strong Black families now falling apart at the seams}

_{Too many children with no hope of achieving their dreams}

_{Corporate glass ceilings for those who wear a skirt}

_{No more affirmative action, get over your past hurt}

_{Subsidies for the rich and tax credits for the wealthy}

_{And welfare reform time limits for the poor and unhealthy}

_{Stock markets crashing and money down the drain}

_{Too many broken hearts, too many lovers in pain}

_{Children without fathers, mothers doing drugs}

_{Little girls dressed half-naked, young boys trying to be thugs}

_{Grandmas raising babies, kissing boo-boos and drying tears}

_{When they should be enjoying their golden years}

_{If it sounds like I’m angry, it’s because I got a right to be}

_{I’m a black woman in America and I still ain’t free} n