Lovely Difference: A Book of Light and Shadow

by Renee Tracey

all of mankind
originated from
the womb of
africa. pulsating,
undulating,
and fragrant was
the pit of berries
and roses with
cumin and gingerroot
deep in its fertile,
honeyed,
soil.

- hello sista sunshine

the birds remaining
near the nest formed
cocoa skin, woolen hair,
and tea-black
eyes to steel them
under aunty sun’s
tight embrace.

our sisters and
brothers who flew
further away needed milk
in their skin and hair that
could wrap a neck when
the chill of leaving
home permeated
the air.

- miss you

the velvet people emerged
moist from the soil closest
to the equator with a wild,
sensitive nature.
further out north where
the wind whipped your
cheeks into blushing,
found the ivory men
and woman, appearing
calmer in nature.

- ice and fire

some say they’re colder.
i say i like their
sophistication. they say
they like our jazz.
but our jazz is theirs.
and their sophistication
is ours. because we
are each other.

- tap into yourself

the nymph cried
for she wasn’t a
mermaid and he did
not hear her song.
her tongue was thick
and no matter how
hard she tried, hers
was a voiceless lullaby.

- moonlight sonata

he told me there
was no real
difference
between velvet
and ivory people:
“we’re just better
at being assholes.”
i believe he was
telling me he loved
me.

- christopher

she beat
me just like
her father
beat her just
as he’d been
beaten.
lied to me
just like she
had been lied
to.

- the unloved daughter

the unloved
daughter’s name
was echo. she
was darker and
less beautiful
than hurricane.

- and mother set the
grounds for narcissus

whatever you
told echo, she
received. she only
lived to serve, for
that, she thought,
was her only
purpose. and
her innocence
protected her
at first.

- echo


If You love poetry like that of Rupi Kaur and Amanada Lovelace you will love "Lovely Difference."

Taking the form of a raw and poignant memoir, Lovely Difference: A Book of Light and Shadow explores the truths about romance, hate, and being black in the western world. But it doesn't stop just there. Breathtaking and honest, this work of poetry is a love letter to all people, wrapped in sparkling, sympathetic prose.

SECTIONS:
foreword
act i: the slave’s daughter
act ii: the coldest jungle
act iii: the crazy black woman
act iv: the anatomy of peace

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2019

Reviews

[Bewitchingly Paranoid]

What shook me was the fact of how the poems have been written so effortlessly. The most interesting point, although it is a poetry book, it has been written in simple prose manner making me feel like 'I am home'! It actually doesn't feel heavy on words or say thoughts. It is more like stories or rather life experiences written with honest wordings. Indeed it is breathtaking and powerful, the mentioned above few liners, the way it describes anger in just three lines, oh my god. Yes, I may not understand the integrity of poetry but I understand them as a person understands about like. There are so many emotions developing here and there in the book, be it tragic, raw power, hateful, love, anger!

I am definitely recommending this book, not just as a poetry book, but as something to dwell into as time flows by. You don't have to rush into completing it, embrace the journey, engulf every word, cherish your thoughts and let the poem sink into you. Trust me, being a person who gets bored with poetry books, I SIMPLY ADORED IT!

[April]

I absolutely loved this book, I don’t read much poetry mainly but after this I will, I decided to read it on a whim and thank goodness, I did because I enjoyed it immensely. This book of poetry romance and hate, it beautifully written an I couldn’t help but highlight section to remember for later, however given this book is so short I will definitely be reading it in full. It is raw and enlightening and will take you on a journey and make you think, with its beautiful poems. I would recommend to anyone!

[Tanasia Bryant]

Everyone knows I am a huge fan of poetry, old and new. All works touch me in some kind of way, but never before have I had one touched me in the way this one did. I could feel everything as if I was there. The way it was written was so easy to read and it flowed so well. Lovely Difference wasn't just a book of poems, it was a book of understanding, a book of emotions, and a deep story to tell about so many truths in this world. This book isn't something to rush and read. It is something you embrace and take your time with. Let the words flow through your body and seep into your soul.

[Lauren]

Received this as a Goodreads Giveaway for an honest review.

I found this a delightful read, even though I am not a fan of poetry; Lamb and Tracey had some really wonderful poems that definitely spoke to me. Definitely recommend.

[Carrie-Anne O'Driscoll]

Simply gorgeous!!! Pleasant and descriptive prose. Soul bearing. Highly recommended.

[Ne...]

3.7☆/5
As a person, who write poetry herself. I loved what Shelby and Renee did with this one. There were many emotions, in those 175 pages. There is love, lost, peace, irrational conflicts of mind, talks about snow, and 'velvet people'.
Though I don't think I completely understand what 'velvet people' were referred too, but I am reading 'The Color Purple by Alice Walker' So i connect them when I read velvet people.
Some of the prose gave a sense of connectivity, and I totally adored the small illustrations that were mapped with some of the writings. The book also gives us amazing take on mental illness too
There are so many highlights that I have made in to go back to when I need to relive this book.
One of them is
'a man with a broken spine couldn't walk around pretending he is fine.
so why should a man with a broken mind be expected to?'

Full review will be posted on blog soon.