All Sins Forgiven: Poems for My Parents

by Charles Coe

"Coe writes about his parents with warmth, insight, and grace . . . with celebration as well as regret. A collection that captures the tenderness and intimacy within the black family. His words construct a path from the innocence of childhood into the winter of aging. His book will outlive much of the poetry being written today."— E. Ethelbert Miller No relationship is more personal, yet universal, than that of parent and child. These richly detailed poems connect readers with their own experiences in that most fundamental of relationships, and are poignant reminders that the lives of those closest to us sometimes offer the deepest mysteries. "domesticity" pampered little girl
no crystal ball to warn you
of dirty laundry mountains. From "How My Father Learned to Cook": Because of the tomatoes in a neighbor's garden,
my father learned to cook. Because of late summer
home-grown Indiana tomatoes, drooping on the vine
my father learned to cook. Imagine him at twelve leaning
over the fence of the neighbor's garden curious but shy,
and the neighbor pointing to the open gate.
Imagine father digging in the soil, caught in the rhythm
of the gardener's dance
and later handing his surprised mother
the overstuffed paper bag. A pretty story, but it never happened; here's what Charles Coe's poetry and prose have appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines, and his poems have been set to music by composers Julia Carey, Beth Denisch, and Robert Moran. Coe also writes feature articles, book reviews, and interviews for Harvard Magazine , Northeastern University Law Review , and the Boston Phoenix . He is also a jazz vocalist, performing and recording throughout New England.

84 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2013

Reviews

[Bill Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have heard Mr. Coe speak several times. He is also a fine jazz singer and a chef! What can I say? I'm 78 years old and I miss my mother and father every day. They were good people who raised me and my siblings right. If you love and miss your parents, then this beautiful book of heartfelt poems will move you. Charles Coe is an immense poet who speaks the truth beautifully.

[Joanna Chen]

Charles Coe's slim book of poetry provides a gentle, perceptive look at relationships with parents. This is a quiet book of poetic memoir. Coe's prose poems, in my opinion, are particularly strong and wonderfully revealing.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving, powerful, beautifully honest poetry

[Mark Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this and some of it I did. The problem for me was that many of the pieces read more like mini-essays, remembrances, I don't really know what. Some were fine, other maudlin, but few were insightful. There are a handful of excellent poems throughout the book, but as a collection I found them to be a bit disappointing.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable poetry and prose written by a loving son reflecting on life after his parents death. An interesting look into black life in the era after Jim Crow, but still not living the American dream. Loved how he described life in all its facets and flavor. I felt that he brought the reader into his story well and enjoyed the book.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

As fine a poet as is writing in America today.

[Tammi]

One of the most beautiful books of poetry I've ever read. Inspires one not just to think, but to write, and then, in time, to forgive.