Customer Reviews

A Swan Song

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A Swan Song is an intense and passionate collection of poems that will inspire you to connect or re-connect to a Black social consciousness. This sister, Janette Owens, is about the business of the people; and she has the heart and soul of a poet. She will lead you to the water AND make you want to drink it.

She writes with clarity and wisdom. If you are not intimidated by straight talk and "in your face" directness, then this is the book for you. If you want to raise your level of consciouness, A Swan Song is also the book for you. Support this sister and buy A Swan Song. It's deep.

In a world of cliches and carbon copies, Janette Owens' A Swan Song puts a fresh face on modern poetry and fiction. You won't bore easily reading this book of poems and shorts. After reading "Jezebel," I wanted to know more about this deligthful character. I hope the author plans to write another book or a novel so that I can find out what happens to Jezebel, Carolyn, and Madeline.

All you have to do is tell me when and where, and I'll bring my check book and friends to the nearest book store that carries A Swan Song. I recommend tht you buy this book. You'll be talking about this one for a long time to come.

A Swan Song is a eloquently written book of poetry that will definitely provoke a response from you as the reader. I felt raw emotion erupting from the pages -- despair in The Office; madness in Restless; and hope in Another Day in Paradise. I am curious about the author and where she was in her life when she captured some of her poetry on paper. What was so cool about Ms. Owens' work is that each person I shared it with saw and felt something different.

Ms. Owens recited her poem, A Birth of a New Generation, at Gallery 504 in San Diego and the climate in the room became just a little bit uncomfortable. And in saying that, if you're up for a challenge, buy this book. You won't forget this one.

Clever writing by one of our newest gems, Janette Owens. Ms. Owens writes from the heart. She's clever and funny and knows the language of "good" and "bad." I like her style.

"Order My Steps" challenges the lazy and unconcscious. It dares us to "step-up" to the plate and become doers of the word and not just hearers. There's a line in the poem that goes like this:

"You're always talking about how tolerant you are, saying how folks have the right to raise or lower the standard bar. But you never take a stand, regardless of the position, to help your fellow man improve his or her condition.

You talk too loud, and you always want to be heard, but you're just a face in the crowd mouthing the same old words"

Powerful words! To me, this is a directive to those folks who sit back and complain but never "step-up" to challenge the system. Folks like cornerstore and meglamania preachers. Reformed "anti-establishment" groups. Leaders of national organizations who claim to have a platform, but never use it for good.

After reading Ms. Owens' A Swan Song, I highly recommend this book. It will shake your consciousness on many levels. Buy the book.

...with "A Swan Song." This book of poems and short stories (and I do mean short!) has a hip-hop/Gil Scott Heron/Aretha Franklin flavor. It's upbeat and cool at the same time. I liked the poem, "Seducing Spirits." It's about a party girl who's looking for Mr. Right but instead finds herself waking up to Mr. Right Now. Some of my other favorite poems in this book are "Just Because," "Restless," and "Dear Lover," just to name a few.

The short stories are indeed short-- but you walk away feeling full. I recommend that you buy this book.

This book is the bomb! Even though it appears to be written for an African American audience, as a White female, I can totally relate to many of the poems and short stories. While reading "Love Doesn't Live Here Anymore," I was reminded of my own bittersweet struggle to maintain my independence in a recently dissolved relationship. "Love Doesn't Live Here Anymore" tells the story of one woman's journey to emotional independence. Now liberated from a relationship that was once filled with lies, and frequent infidelties, she begs the question: "What the hell was I thinking when I connected with someone like him?" But, as the story goes, she no longer has to answer that question 'cause love doesn't live here anymore.

I really enjoyed this collection of poems and short stories by Ms. Owens. I also enjoyed "Mahogany," "Celebration," and "Window of Love." Buy the book, and you'll see what I mean! Looking forward to the next collection.

Looking for an easy blend of poetry and prose that taps into many aspects of daily life and human relationships? Then A SWAN SONG just might be the collection for you. When I think about the title that she chose for this collection, the first word that came to mind was graceful. Just as a swan moves gracefully with even strokes upon water, Janette Owen's intimate collection moves gracefully through a variety of topics that readers may enjoy and relate to.

This thin book is divided into six chapters with five to eight poems and short stories per chapter. All of the poems are easy to read and understand. Those poems written as rhyming couplets deal with intimacy, black freedom, and spiritual growth, while others are non-rhyming free verses, which explore topics of daily living and social problems. I believe my favorite poem is "The Office." This engaging poem clearly identifies the strange breed of folks we often find in our workplace. But in spite of the office politics that is involved with gaining respect and securing promotions, the poet reminds us that what we endure is simply part of our allegiance to whomever signs our paychecks. Of her short stories, "Inclement Weather" and "A Swan Song," for which this collection is named, are my favorites. "Inclement Weather" centers on the stormy topic of interracial dating and how society's (especially the families of the couple) non-approval at times takes its toll on the lovers; while "A Swan Song" represents the private ponderings and sensual thoughts women often have about the special men in their lives.

A SWAN SONG is a promising start for Janette Owens. I believe her thoughts and words will transcend this book from just being about black life in general to being a book for all races and human experiences everywhere.

In Janette Owen's book of intimate poems and short stories, Swan Song, I think I have found a couple of poems which should be considered for the Black National Poems. Included in Janette Owen's medley of beautiful poetry are the two poems "How to Love a Black Man" amd "How to Love A Black Woman." These are what I consider to be MUST READS for every African-American. Actually, these are must reads for EVERY man and woman. Respect and love for each other, Janette Owens lays it out very nicely.

Highly Recommended!

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A Swan Song is a wonderful book of metaphors and symbolisms. Just the title alone belies the nature of the book. I think anyone can and will relate to the images and hints of the familiar found in "Just Because," "Grace," "Seducing Spirits," and "A Birth of a New Generation."

The poems offer a taste of everything and should appeal to a variety of readers. I'm of European descent but it did not deter me from enjoying "How to Love a Black Woman" or feeling the writer's angst in "Mahogany" and "Mustafa and Abdullah."

A Swan Song is a quick and ejoyable read. I recommend tht you buy this book for yourself and friends and family. It's that good.

A Swan Song is a quick and easy read, but filled with promise and inspiration. Ms. Owens did a fine job on her first "work of fiction." She easily captures the essence of black love, despair, and hope in the powerful poem, "Birth of a New Generation." I absolutely loved the book.

I passed it on to friends one weekend, and when I went back to retrieve it, they told me that everyone (10 in total) wanted to buy it. I ordered my copy off Ms. Owens' web site. It's a must read and should be in the hands of every college student and hip-hop brotha and sista who's out there doing their thang!

Warning: Not for the faint of heart.