Don't Call Us Dead

 Shirley J.        Adult Non-Fiction                 Poetry, Black Men and the Joys and Horrors They Deal With

Don't Call Us Dead by Danez Smith    96 pages

This book cuts to the heart, so hard hitting are Danez Smith's poems they will bring tears to your eyes for the tortured souls he tells you of and the richness of finding a love like no other in the men he has cherished throughout his own life.   Like an icepick shattering a sculpture his words are dealt with such precision that the images and ghosts he brings to the page will stay in the reader's memory.   Some word pictures are so dreadful, reader you may have to put the book down and drop your head to your chest the sadness will be so strong, then another poem like perfume wafting on a breeze will lighten you and make you smile for the joy he found in someone's arms it is an endearing feeling.  Danez Smith is an artist painting emotions on the page and in the minds of his readers.   Well done.   I recommend this one to adults as some of the themes are written in beautiful verse of grown ups.