The Forbidden Poems

by Birtha

This collection of poems deals with the author's experiences in confronting racism, being an African-American and a lesbian-feminist, and grieving over the loss of a longtime lover

Genres: Poetry, Lesbian, LGBT

Paperback

First published March 1, 1991

Reviews

[l · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love her.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book belongs on every reader's list of gotta have. Becky Birtha pulls us thru her journey of life -- from loving, to heartache, around the corner to recovery, we find community, friendship and then stand with her in all her glory as she shares her Love Poem to Myself. You'll lick your lips sensually with Plumstone; laugh and nod your head as she wraps humor around pain in My Next Lover; feel strength with her Love Poem to Anger; soothed with A Deeper Healing and Accept it Gracefully. She shows us how it feels *to come to the end of being loved* and how we can still be open, strong and willing to take the risk again. The language BB uses to paint her gifts is magical. This is an absolutely must own!!

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked this book up as a sixteen-year-old who was greatly confused about her sexuality, it was a revelation to me. So much so that I risked failing my English class to do a presentation on her... but that's another story. But unlike other books that filled this role (Annie on My Mind, I'm looking at you), this one has some serious literary merit. Birtha creates some gorgeous imagery in this book, often out of little everyday things that you wouldn't think of being as beautiful as she makes them.