Nikki Giovanni and Charles Bukowski: New collections from poetry's icons
'Acolytes' and 'The People Look Like Flowers at Last' are their latest efforts at shaping the literary landscape.
from the April 17, 2007 edition
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Giovanni is more direct and hard-hitting in other places, as when she writes about slave ships or the brutal murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till.
Yet while she tries to inform and enlighten readers – as in "Rap-Blues' Child" – she does so in some surprising new ways.
The wisdom that Giovanni shares in "Acolytes" comes not just from hardship and strife, but from pleasant everyday experiences: memories, family, love. She writes about her mother's devotion to basketball, and what happens when daughters leave home. One piece mentions a bubble bath and includes a recipe. Several poems point to the power of faith.
This element of her work is refreshing, a wonderful balance to some of the grittier topics she revisits. The writing itself is classic Giovanni: spare, direct, and intimate, as in this short poem:
It's Spring
Redbud
Jonquils
Robins on the wing
Dogwood in full bloom
of course it is
it's spring
Readers may feel that much of the writing in "Acolytes" gets its power from Giovanni's observations and experiences, rather than from a striking use of language.
Still, the collection shows that there is good reason for fans to continue their journey with the poet.
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