There’s already a review out about this book done by the Nation Media Group – NMG, however, I’ll share my thoughts too.
As a lover of poetry, I found this book refreshing and entertaining at the same time.
The poet weaves words in the most impeccable manner, this is why I’ve read this 56-paged book thrice and also bought two more for friends as a gift.
At first, I thought, what a title, ‘Black Tipped Nipples’?, Who names their books that way? Is it erotic?
But as I opened the pages I was engrossed by the pro-feminine and pro-humanity thoughts. Some poems are radical but not radical-feminism.
But above all, it is a personal account, a deep feeling and expression. A web of words weaved through 20 years of knowing love, heartbreaks, renewal and self-discovery.
One particular poem, And time repeats not such profound beauty, the poet wrote this poem from 1987 and finished it in 2004. Or is it an account of all that period? Either way, that’s how I interpreted it.
The book tackles various topics such as racism, social stigmatization and stereotypes that people encounter in relationships.
She told NMG that “Many people are stunned by the title, and at face value, some immediately think the title alludes to something sensual or seductive, but this far from it.”
This is true.
But I wondered if the poem, “Chose your train” is about sex or about copulating.
Extremes of love
The poet also tackles the extremes of relationships.
For example, the poem Inside my heart and The man on the train, the poet moves from deep love to hate in quick succession.
The book is written in good English and the poems are easily relatable, I found myself, a man, in some of the poet’s shoes.
Mildren Ngesa is an award-winning author and motivational speaker. She worked with the Nation Media Group.
The sole poem, “Black Tipped Nipples”, from which the anthology’s title is derived, speaks of lamentations against oppression and racism’, she said.
The Soul of the African Woman is one of my favorite poems, I underlined many phrases on it.
The queens of earth defy time and space,
Their power confronts depression and oppression…
Then another part says:
…that even though the mirror is a liar,
the soul never dies,
The mirror lies everyday without shame
But the truth still remains; the body may fade at dusk
But the soul is reborn at dawn.
Serious poets should get this book.
Buy this book from Nuria Store.