The Shine Poems.by Calvin Forbes Louisiana State University Press This article needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. , April 2001, $15.95, ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 0-8071-2666-7 This collection of poetry is divided into four different sections, and begins with reflective poems that speak of a "forty something" man's experience with language, which moves through nostalgic moments with clarity and music that is rooted in jazz and blues traditions. In these three lines from the poem "Three Folk Songs," Forbes sums up the relationship of human-to-human, and words-to-poetry: "Good poems are like some people sometimes I can't remember their names only how they make me feel" In the second section, Forbes combines poetry that reflects his inner voice with insight from others' stories, in a narrative style that not only captures the color and timing of a moment but also the inherent surprise that is real life. Poems such as "Two" or "More Conversations" are incredulous in·cred·u·lous adj. 1. Skeptical; disbelieving: incredulous of stories about flying saucers. 2. Expressive of disbelief: an incredulous stare. , innocent, playful, inquisitive in·quis·i·tive adj. 1. Inclined to investigate; eager for knowledge. 2. Unduly curious and inquiring. See Synonyms at curious. , quietly angry, erotic, and truthful. "let me get this straight first you lied to me now you mad at me because I believed you" In the third and fourth sections, Forbes joins in a universal dialogue of poets and philosophers who challenge the construct and confines of language. In this world, nothing is ever what it seems, and any thinking to the contrary is at best enlightening en·light·en tr.v. en·light·ened, en·light·en·ing, en·light·ens 1. To give spiritual or intellectual insight to: , usually humbling and occasionally dangerous. In this section, poems such as "Oreo" "Picture of a Man" and "Facts" reach like a coal miner into a world where language collides with reality to form new paradigms New Paradigm In the investing world, a totally new way of doing things that has a huge effect on business. Notes: The word "paradigm" is defined as a pattern or model, and it has been used in science to refer to a theoretical framework. . "Survey says: people consume more FACTS than are good for them." The final section introduces the resurrected "Shine" an African-American folk character. In his new life, Shine meets Glow, a lady DJ. Each of these poems is a sensual portrait of his love for her. Here, Shine grapples with the specter of his death, his travels through time and a ghost life. "Outward he was mostly Only red-eyed And just the same Shining." At the end of the collection is "A Little Poem," which stands in as Shine's reprieve reprieve (rĭprēv`): in law, see pardon. in the guise of his love for his son Shade. There is nothing for Shine to negotiate here but hope, through the eyes of his son: "A man can live up/to what he's bringing up/a man can be a child/a child can't be a man/this is why the son/had shine for his father." --Linda Joy Burke is a poet and writer living in Baltimore, Maryland "Baltimore" redirects here. For the surrounding county, see Baltimore County, Maryland. For other uses, see Baltimore (disambiguation). Baltimore is an independent city located in the state of Maryland in the United States. . |
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