What do you think?
Rate this book
Lessons And Libations
In Lessons & Libations, Clarence Barbee delivers a sharp, soulful blend of short stories and poems steeped in honesty, humor, and heartache. From the classroom to the corner bar, these ten pieces dive into the spaces where people show up raw—learning, healing, grieving, laughing, and sipping through it all.
Meet Nia, a recent college grad finding her voice after graduating. Walk the halls with a weary teacher nursing quiet battles no one sees. Sit in on office banter between two friends just trying to stay human under fluorescent lights. Even the shoes speak—Stacy Adams and Nikes square off about identity, purpose, and which paths we run.
With language that lingers and characters that feel like someone you know (or someone you’ve been), Lessons & Libations is a toast to resilience and a reminder that even in our toughest moments, there’s still beauty—and maybe a good pour—waiting at the end of the day.
Book available at author's website
Meet Nia, a recent college grad finding her voice after graduating. Walk the halls with a weary teacher nursing quiet battles no one sees. Sit in on office banter between two friends just trying to stay human under fluorescent lights. Even the shoes speak—Stacy Adams and Nikes square off about identity, purpose, and which paths we run.
With language that lingers and characters that feel like someone you know (or someone you’ve been), Lessons & Libations is a toast to resilience and a reminder that even in our toughest moments, there’s still beauty—and maybe a good pour—waiting at the end of the day.
Book available at author's website
43 pages, ebook
First published May 2, 2025
About the author
Clarence Barbee
8 books5 followersClarence Barbee has been writing and performing poetry for over a decade. He has produced 9 spoken word albums, under the pseudonyms Nabraska and Poet402. Clarence is now working on self-publishing books of essays and short stories.
In his professional life he has worked with, educated, and supported many children. Clarence believes in keeping an eye on political planes and social occurrences such as changes in world leadership, and social inequalities. These actions of men are a huge curiosity to the author; he believes in writing about them, and discussing them, so solutions can be made.
Clarence has taken these experiences and written about them extensively. He asks, “who doesn’t want to be happy,” then goes about the business of finding the answer. Please take some time to join him on this journey as they are set through words, sometimes with music, and always taken with a grain of salt.
In his professional life he has worked with, educated, and supported many children. Clarence believes in keeping an eye on political planes and social occurrences such as changes in world leadership, and social inequalities. These actions of men are a huge curiosity to the author; he believes in writing about them, and discussing them, so solutions can be made.
Clarence has taken these experiences and written about them extensively. He asks, “who doesn’t want to be happy,” then goes about the business of finding the answer. Please take some time to join him on this journey as they are set through words, sometimes with music, and always taken with a grain of salt.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 18, 2025
This summary pulled me in fast. I love how the stories move from classrooms to bars to everyday moments that feel real and familiar. The mix of humor, pain, and reflection hits surprisingly deep for something so short. The idea of characters like Nia finding herself or even the shoes talking about identity actually made me smile. It feels warm, honest, and a little emotional in the best way. Definitely made me want to read the full collection.
Displaying 1 of 1 review