Blue: A Book of Poetry

by Tanicia Pratt

Her first lyrical collection, Tanicia Pratt tells an autobiographical story of love, heartbreak and the inescapable blue.

In a country where seas mirror skies, and the shore is never too far away, blue is the central hue modelling The Bahamas and its many complexities. Each poem dives deeper and deeper as the poet unearths themes surrounding family, the body, trauma, and nationhood.

Blue is poetic jazz- edged and raw in its depictions of Caribbean culture - a soundtrack for women who dare to love (in) their country.

Genres: Poetry

79 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2022

Reviews

[Sasha (bahareads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue is about the blues of life, family, love, and nationhood; basically, anything that could be felt when having the "blues." Blue is more than just a hue associated with sadness. It's broader than that, it is life in all its fullness. Pratt directs Blue to women but honestly the poems and feelings in Blue can be felt by mostly anyone. I know there's something in Blue that can resonate with anybody. The poetry regarding family and Pratt's grammy were some of my favourites. I felt the love and connection with those. There are different types of poetry in Blue. My favourite style has to be from Compartments which were actually little poems in compartments. Pratt has a lyricalness to her poetry that I enjoy and reading them aloud made them come to life. The openness with which the poetry is presented to the reader made me sit in awe and respect.

A few of my absolute favourites were
Mary
Fyre
It is Not the Sea that Binds Us
No Brackets on my Tongue
Teach yi How ta Swim
Gaulin Wife
You only write bad poems about me
On Friendship
Poinciana Tell Me ta Burn

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get used to the accent. There are some very heavy beautifully written poems in it and then some that I just didn’t get🙈😅

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

picked this one up in Nassau and have been savoring since march. favorite poems: dreamboat, you only write bad poems about me, on friendship

[Shannon T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

My pick for Bahamas. Lovely, modern poetry. Didn't enjoy some of the pining because it's not something I can relate to and often makes me cringe and think of Leav, Kaur, Peppernell. But Pratt is clearly a competent poet. I really liked her comments on colonialism and her cultural identity.

[O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful & deeply moving. I loved the infusion of local vernacular- it brought me closer to the context & environment.