Shield the Joyous

by Christopher X. Shade

On Christmas Day in 2017, author Christopher X. Shade’s younger brother was found nonresponsive in rural Alabama, and died that night. With this book of poems, Shade’s journey to better understand addiction and the loss of loved ones draws from both the world of his imagination and, in poignant poetic memoir, from his Alabama roots. This follows his 2019 debut novel The Good Mother of Marseille, its search for belonging through turbulent Marseille streets to a better understanding of ourselves. Shield the Joyous is deeply touching in its vulnerability and often entertaining. Mary and Joseph give 5-year-old Jesus an enormous pair of eyeglasses. Rice Krispies speak of death and resurrection. In North Alabama bottomlands, tall grasses long to protect ducks from hunters. And while paramedics wait in their parked ambulance for the next call, they try on each other’s sunglasses. The book continues the thread of coming to understand ourselves by working to understand others. And a strong message of love and hope transcends what is happening in our families where the disease of addiction pulls us apart and kills our loved ones.

80 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2020

About the author

Christopher X. Shade is author of the novel The Good Mother of Marseille. His latest is the book of poems Shield the Joyous, about the loss of loved ones to the disease of addiction. His stories and book reviews have appeared widely, and he has won story awards including the Writers at Work fellowship competition in 2016. He is co-founder and co-editor of Cagibi, at cagibilit.com, a journal of poetry and prose. He teaches fiction and poetry writing at The Writers Studio. Raised in the South, he now lives in New York City. Learn more at ChristopherXShade.com.

Reviews

[Colleen Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of Poetry expresses what so many of us feel when dealing with the fallout of addiction. The sadness, the helplessness in the face of it..the wondering when will our loved one realize all they are missing. Our missing them in all of the daily living we could be doing with them. Sometimes just the simple things, talking, laughing, celebrating life together. Please read it expresses all of that .

[Francescajemm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t exactly read this collection in one day.... I had read several of the poems earlier this year.... but I wanted to experience the collection in its totality, which I did this evening. It’s a book full of grief and loss but also love, tremendous love. And I found it beautiful.

[Mary Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book of poems. I loved the references to the South and nature imagery, and I really enjoyed the variety of stories. It's a brilliantly written "must read" for all poetry fans!