Blues For All the Changes
Nikki Giovanni
William Morrow
Published: May 1999
ISBN: 0688156983
Reviewed by Marlive, aka MsGRITS
Reviewed on Amazon.com
Nikki Giovanni, often referred to by fans as the "Princess of Black Poetry," is back on the scene with another brilliant collection of poems titled, BLUES FOR ALL THE CHANGES . Anyone who knows music and about the Blues in general will find all the poems in this book to be in some way a lyrical and rhythmic statement not only about this radical poet's life, but about some of the best and worst moments in Black America.
This book begins with a brief but poignant definition of what blues is by singer, Alberta Hunter. Hunter, who is credited for the mixing of classic blues and cabaret music during the 1920s, says, " People think the blues is sad. They hear people moaning and such. That's not the blues. That's just somebody singing slow . . . The blues is about truth-telling." I think Ms. Giovanni's use of Hunter's statement to define what is Blues, is precisely what I think this collection represents -- truth-telling in every way!
This book is divided into two main sections. The first 32 poems are called 'flatted thirds and sevenths.' Some of the poems in this section are short elliptical pieces that are hard-hitting while others are long flowing prose pieces without any punctuation --meant to be read with the natural breathing rhythm of the reader. My favorite in this section is 'Visible Ink' (p.15) This poem which starts out describing the imperfections of folks from the Bible to Hollywood is a an extension of what Alberta Hunter states about the blues being " . . . about truth-telling." Yes, we all have imperfections, but it is through those imperfections that we learn what true living is all about. Through imperfections, real heroes arise and become the forerunners in the necessary changes we see and need in our lifetime. Other great poems in this section deals with topics that range from the Underground Railroad, civil rights, and hatred to special tributes to key people in our society like Betty Shabazz and Jackie Robinson.
The final 20 poems in this book are called 'fugue.' All of the poetry in this section depict the daily rhythm of human life coming together as we know it. These poems reflect our changing seasons, our dreams and hopes, as well as our transient from this life to the next. This book is filled with poetry for every mood, emotion, and celebration!
Despite some critics believing that BLUES FOR ALL THE CHANGES is just another book about black anger in poetic form, or that Giovanni's opinions, though based in reality, are wrong subjective conclusions . . . I find her work representative of the emotions and ideas that many Black people feel and experience in this country. So, on a scale of 1-4 I give this book a 4 rating for being an excellent read anytime!
