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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Many Facets of Love, November 27, 2007
Lemonade Street
Bernice Angoh
ISBN: 1-4241-9667-1
Publish America, 2007
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com
Many facets of love...
5 Stars
In the introduction to Lemonade Street, Bernice Angoh describes the myth of fairytale love with a happy-ever- after ending. Love, like all of life, has its ups and downs; too many people cling to the make-believe form of love. They do not know or they ignore the fact that love brings exhilaration, pain, satisfaction, and sadly disenchantment. Prince Charming and his white horse does not come riding to the rescue, to sweep us off our feet and carry us into never-never-land. There is only one unconditional love, the love a parent has for a child, as demonstrated through the love the Father has for His children.
Much of this charming work seems to revolve around a stunning little girl, whose photos add sentiment to the prose. "Now I Lay Me Down" speaks of a love that lasts through eternity. "Follow Me" spoke to me of the delight of holding my lover in my arms and reaching new heights with him. "Secrets" sorrowfully spoke of an adulterous affair. "23rd Psalm Revisited" is a beautiful interpretation of the beloved scripture. This book ends with a few quotes, my favorite is `Success is putting your prayers and dreams in action, with no excuses and no room for quitting,' Bernice Angoh.
I must be honest; poetry is not my favorite form of literature. Too many times the meaning is so obscure that only the author truly knows the deep meaning of the verse; it is not so in Lemonade Street by Bernice Angoh. The prose is simple, original, and easy to understand; the emotions are genuine and heartfelt. Lemonade Street is a beautiful interpretation and celebration of the many facets of love: the love a parent has for a child, the love of a man and a woman, and the love that God has for us. It would be hard to choose a favorite, because so many of these touched my soul. Some of these brought tears and some laughter ("Your Fly Is Open"). Well done Ms. Angoh! I highly recommend Lemonade Street to fans of poetry and to women everywhere. There is a message in this book that will touch the hearts of women.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I experienced an unexpected conversion., February 28, 2008
I've never liked poems, I mean never. Growing up, I was forced to study poetry but could never like it. A nice, talented guy I used to like wrote me poems and I just couldn't bring myself to like 'em...and I tried. So I "ventured into Lemonade Street" thinking I'd be struggling to understand the poems.
I Simply put, I've not read an anything so richly infused with pure talent and an intelligent organisation of words in the English language since I read the writings of the likes of Chinua Achebe, a world- renowned Nigerian Author.
I never like poems so I had to figure out Why are these poems are so captivating? They follow a perfectly logical pattern of thinking, they're unbelievably imaginative, but most of all, many readers will relate to the poems in this book. They are easily understandable. You can read and understand them even when the poems stanzas follow a rhyming pattern. I must add, I'm not the romantic type, yet I liked a lot of the "love- themed" poems. Just imagine how much you'll love `em if you are a romantic!
I started with a highlighter hoping to spot a few favourites. (Usually when you read a book, even when you buy a music album, the favourites or the roaring "hits" are a few Well, I kept highlighting title after title, that I stunned myself with how many of the poems I thought were outstanding.
Number one on my `favourites list' is "Complete Me". Every adult needs to read this. To see a demonstration of that pure talent of which I speak, read "Can I Touch You?" Also, try reading "Lay Me Down"...sends chills down the back of your neck. It's a mixture of imaginative, a little spooky, but then romantic. I'm not even sure my descriptions do these poems any justice.
I can't wait till Bernice Angoh (the author) gets on Oprah. She (Oprah) shouldn't be cheated of the opportunity to lay her fingers on a different kind of writing, by a budding phenomenon.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A heartfelt collection of poetry, February 26, 2008
Bernice Angoh has written a heartfelt collection of poetry, bursting with throw-it-to-the wind passion that displays a soul simultaneously injured and elevated by love. Often written to the men in her life who have hurt her, the pain is as palpable as her zest for life. Her words are easy to swallow and unpretentious. Even within her straightforward approach, there are undertones of profound artistry, such as in this excerpt from "Follow Me."
Follow me
Let me take you to a place where the sky hugs the city lights
and popcorn floats like air in space,
In that place, time never ceases, no one ever sleeps
It rains milk and shines confetti.
Hold my hand
Let me guide you to the house on Cinnamon street
Ms. Angoh follows each piece of poetry with interesting commentary, detailing the origin of each piece or adding insightful philosophies.
It appears Ms. Angoh has suffered deeply - from an absent father to the possible loss of a child. Her ability to love deeply and intensely comes through in this poem, entitled "You Will Miss Me."
You Will Miss Me
Cruel disregard
Of my delicate heart
The smirk in your eyes
The restlessness of that left foot
So distastefully
You called it off
I may as well
Have been a ghost
You brushed past me
Taking it all with you
I'm leaving you a gift
Chosen with love and care;
"Here is my heart, take it with you
I need it not, at heaven's gate"
Someday when it all settles in, when sunken ships have risen to shore and you've
been through hell and back; you will miss me.
The sadness creeps into every poem, and brings to light a life full of losses.
Sundance Queen
I lost myself in the morning sun
Fought and cruised till everything was gone
I craved the sweets, I felt misled
In the barnyard, I worried over nothing
Cried and mourned for there was no blood
But in the dark
I found myself
For I am Sheeba
The Sundance queen
Ms. Angoh's book consists of a collection of over 100 poems and is available through Publish America and at online bookstores everywhere.
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