Customer Reviews

Bicycles: Love Poems

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nikki Giovanni celebrates her 65 years with 65 poems following in the tradition of her well-received earlier release, Love Poems, and expands on the nuances, notions, and manifestations of love. She taps into the senses: the instant physiological reactions of seeing a lover or loved one regardless of whether they are a revered figure (in an ode to "Free Huey") or familial as reflected in "Christmas Laughter." Tastes are echoed in the references of food seasoned just right and prepared with the right dose of tender loving care. Hearing and touching are featured in several pieces devoted to jazz and the influence music has in the art of love and loving. "Love Luther" is dedicated to the love that Luther Vandross inspired with his melodic voice and songs that begat a generation. She does not let us forget the power of memories elicited from the whiff of a lover's cologne, smell of "him" on his shirt, or revisiting his essence on the sweat-soaked sheets the morning after. Filled with metaphors Miss Nikki reminds us that love can be experienced everywhere at all times from many sources even our ancestors, our families, our friends, ourselves. We must be patient and mindful of it for it is a loving balm that can strengthen and renew us when we need it most.

Opening and closing with reflections on the Virginia Tech massacre, she shares her observations and lessons learned that love can lift anyone from the depth of tragedy. There are other works in the collection that mention the peace and protection love can bring, the sacrifices loved ones make, and the joy it offers. There is something for everyone in this compact offering because she covers the concept in many settings and from many angles. Bicycles is a short, sweet, enjoyable collection that is easily absorbed into the soul.

Reviewed by Phyllis
January 19, 2009
APOOO BookClub

Five POETIC Stars. Experiences, Dreams, and Love: the stuff of great poetry.
NIkki Giovanni is a poet, writer, educator, commentator, and activist who has been showered with awards throughout her storied career which has used books, the stage, Grammy-nominated recordings, the classroom, and visual media as delivery means. She can be dazzling, while convincing the audience that she sees the world in a way through her poems and written commentary that demands attention and commands our considerations. She sometimes uses a simple poetic delivery technique of short powerful, emotional, incisive phrases that reveal the subject matter in a way that is uniquely her own and almost instantly recognizable.

A Distinguished Professor of English at Virginia Tech University at Blacksburg, Virginia, Ms Giovanni starts off with a long-form, gut-wrenching, pull-no-punches poem, "BLACKSBURG UNDER SIEGE", from both viewpoints about the terrible day at Virginia Tech which saw the worst mass shooting in US history; the book ends with the stirring poem "WE ARE VIRGINIA TECH", which she delivered at the memorial after the massacre that drew an extended ovation from the crowd and President & Mrs Bush (with the added "Iraqi teenager" comment). In between there are general, memorable views of our world. There are three in a row which are especially notable: "I AM GLASS" runs ordinary glass through its gamut of uses and vulnerabilities; "ALCHEMICAL" gives us a new way of seeing the world, leaving the rest to us.; "NO HEAVEN" justifies its very existence by looking at the wonders of this world. And there is so much more, like the beautiful animal "MIGRATIONS". I haven't finished the book, choosing to read and consider a few poems at a time over a long period of time. What I have read so far, a third of the way in, is marvelous. Its wonderful to re-acquaint myself with this talented poet. Thank you, Ms Giovanni, for some wonderful poems. My Highest Recommendation. Five LYRICAL Stars!!
(This review is based on an eBook digital download of 131 pages.)

Giovanni has earned honorary degrees and awards. Her present book, Bicycles, is a collection of poems that serve as a companion to her 1997 Love Poems.
Her poetry is romantic, bold, and erotic. She writes about the physiological reactions of seeing a lover or loved one. Tastes, hearing, touching and the power of memory are expressed in several pieces. Giovanni emphasizes that love can be experienced everywhere at all times from many sources and it can lift anyone from the depth of tragedy.
There is something for everyone in this very sweet and enjoyable collection.

Nikki Giovanni's collection of poetry "Bicycles" is a compilation of love poems that are incredibly relatable for anyone who has been in love, lost a love, or had a broken heart. When reading the poems, it was easy to feel what she felt and makes you realize that you have probably had the same feelings too but used a different outlet to put those feelings out there or just kept them in.
Some of the poems grabbed me more intensely than others. For example, "If Only" talked about the possible romance you could have had with someone if you would have only told that person how you truly felt. It talks about all of the different scenarios if you could have been together and how wondering about a specific romance could always be on your mind. "Good Night" describes two people who may want to be with each other but are not quite sure so they take a little extra time when they are together and do not rush home.
When reading the poems, they flow in a way that tells a story and is like reading a romance novel. You just want the person you are reading about to have that happy ending and find their true love that they are hopelessly yearning for. Each poem is a tease and they keep you wanting more.
There was one poem that showed the side of love that may not be right but sometimes happens. "I Would Not Be Different" was brutally honest about falling for the wrong person. Many people find themselves wondering about someone that they should not wonder about. For example, someone who is married or in a serious relationship, but even though they may not act on their feelings, their minds might wander to that place. Most people do not verbalize those desires but Nikki Giovanni did just that. She talked about how wonderful it could be to be in that forbidden person's arms. She showed vulnerability.
The last poem about Virginia Tech was very powerful. The strength that was displayed in the words was infectious. I could feel what she went through by reading her words. She turned the tragedy into an amazing poem of strength and honesty. The beginning was about sadness but in the end she wanted everyone who read the poem to know that the people of Virginia Tech were no longer victims but survivors who are stronger than ever.
Every single word that I read moved me in some way, shape or form. I could feel all that she was trying to convey to her audience. It is very clear that she not only wanted to share her side but she wanted the reader to let their minds wander and remember when they went through an instance similar. The words that she used were so vivid that I could close my eyes and envision what she was seeing in her own mind. Many of the poems pulled at my heart strings because I have had my heart broken and wondered what if too many times.

I love this book of poetry. I love Nikki Giovanni. She always sums up what I'm thinking and feeling. She also successfully analyzes current people, places and things. Excellent, excellent book.

I love this book so much. I never made a review before but had to. The poems in this book start out smooth with a sweet bite or sour bite at the end. I found them truely unique and touching. I loved the suspense at the end. Like a smooth ride with a unknown mysterious ending. Quite impressive!

With Bicycles, poetess Nikki Giovanni takes the thesis of love poems to a higher level. Poetry is a tough genre to review but I highly recommend Bicycles for the avid poetry lover, as well as the beginner. I flew through the pages and will keep this book close by, so I can recollect on Nikki's wonderfully artistic way of guiding me through a bad day.

Rebecca Lerwill is the award-winning author of Relocating Mia and The Acronym - White Nights of St. Petersburg. Her reviews are available on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook and Authorsden.

This was a gift to my mother. My father passed away over a year ago and she found the poetry to be very meaningful to this time in her life.

Bicycles (Love Poems) by Nikki Giovanni is like taking a bike ride on a magnificent spring day. Her images are crisp and alive and make you want to notice the little things that make you smile. "Bicycles move with the flow of the earth" she says. Take a ride with Nikki and catch the exuberance she has for life. She definitely has "Stage presence" she tells us.
Ann Collins

This is one of the best poetry publications I have read. We saw Nikki Giovanni on TV and were so impressed with her that we just had to purchase this book. Everyone should read this!