We Are Young Magicians (Barnard New Women Poets Series) [Paperback]

Ruth Forman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Barnard New Women Poets Series | Publication Date: April 1, 1993

Winner of the 1992 Barnard New Women Poets Prize

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This collection introduces a 24-year-old poet who would appear to be a direct descendant of Nikki Giovanni and Ntozake Shange. Forman is not exactly a feminist, but she writes from a tradition of strong matriarchal women who can "lose all your children but one / and still be able to stand in the shower." Her poems are alternately fascinating and infuriating. At her worst she's angry and didactic, toying with the same racial tensions that the media already plays up ad infinitum: "i step on any white man / in my path / to gain power for my people / n not only step on him / but stomp him so deep in the ground." Her African American jive (and spelling) seems contrived. Yet there are many pieces in which real emotion comes through. Her poems about the Gulf war are some of the finest written on the topic thus far; they assume the viewpoint of someone up all night flipping TV channels, walking the streets, a woman whose "brother" is off fighting even though the war's supposed to be over. Here, indeed, Forman achieves a poetry that will "ride the bus / in a fat woman's Safeway bag / between the greens n chicken wings."
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

The Barnard Prize, which has produced several attractive volumes from lesser-known women poets, has gone this year to a 24-year-old African American; her book is a welcome addition to the series. Forman's work acknowledges her debt to the 1960s--her mother's time. She evokes the humor and pathos of passing styles: "Momma you do not touch my head anymore/ the pick is in the bathroom drawer/ afros are out of style.../ my eyes are not used to summertime without you." She moves from urban street language to haiku to the standard writing program confessional, and, although sometimes seduced by rhetorical posing, she can be wise and kind: "The balance of this earth/ is not dependent upon the absence of devils/ it is dependent upon the presence of angels and/ spirit, not color, determines" ("In a Darkroom"). These are smart, lively poems, sometimes marred by sentimentality and cliche but no less enjoyable for their flaws.
- Ellen Kaufman, Dewey Ballantine Law Lib., New York
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 86 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press (April 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807068217
• ISBN-13: 978-0807068212
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #869,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fistful of love., November 23, 1998

By 

[e-mail] or Richard T. Kotomori Jr.... (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Are Young Magicians (Barnard New Women Poets Series) (Paperback)

This collection of passionate poems shares life. Through her truthful depiction of moments, attitudes and world views often unheard, Forman shocks and provokes. With her gift of rhythm and tone, she rocks the reader as if to say 'it's O.K.' The collection is divided into four sections, each subsequent section drawing on themes from the prior. Contemporary and timeless, her poems are proof that the personal is universal. In "I Will Speak Genius to Myself," she skillfully explores the cause and effect of the rage that often burdens African Americans by describing the aftermath of an audition. She contrasts hope and potential against a harsh, grey cement reality. It ends spitefully and without resolution, like so many of life's truths. Far from grim, Forman also offers hope. In fact she tells the reader exactly where to find it. In "Up Sister," a woman finds a renewed belief in her ablility to go on when the voices of African American women harmonize to symbollically rescue her fallen soul. She says look at our history and all that we have endured; look to each other; to sisterhood; to the human spirit and the will to survive. Throughout the book, Forman reminds us that a part of the magic we possess as African Americans is our ability to find strength in each other and our ancestors. But the magic is not only ours, it is a part of the human soul that transcends race. The magic is love's transforming property that allows us to see beyond the postmodern context of grey cement, and into the souls of others, as well as our own. Reading this collection was a pleasure, thank you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, Almost 20 Years, October 20, 2011

By 

Free Heat "Dead Reckoning" (Sierra Foothills, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Are Young Magicians (Barnard New Women Poets Series) (Paperback)

I fell in love with Ruth Forman when this book came out -- and I've been dragging it around with me for nearly 20 years now. At least once a month I pull it out and read something. Not only is it smart and serious and beautiful, but there is much fun and great humor. How can you not smile at a poem entitled, "Poetry Should Ride the Bus"? This book combines the joys of pure beauty with social consciousness.