New collection coming: Speak Water by Truth Thomas
Cherry Castle Publishing: June, 2012
Cover photograph for Speak Water by Thomas Sayers Ellis: © 2012
(Look for Cherry Castle birthed into being in June.)
Preliminary Review:
“Truth Thomas is a contemporary poet who has obtained international acclaim for his second collection entitled Bottle of Life (2010). His latest work, Speak Water, is predicted to bring a broader audience and more success. Once again, Truth Thomas speaks “unconditional truths..” The words and images flow from the biblical, early passages of “Genesis” on to “Revelations.” This collection is a mystical journey through the African and African-American experience through the ages. Ebbing through the lyrics, Thomas permits the unsung heroes of Black suffrage to obtain a voice. Intermingled with Langston Hughes and Aretha Franklin, all find a voice in this poetical, Black tapestry…. forever afloat in the current of Speak Water.”
—Dr. Rosetta Codling – literary scholar and critic, Atlanta Books Examiner
–Dr. Rosetta Codling, Literary Critic, Atlanta Books Examiner
Previous books by Truth Thomas:
Bottle of Life
- Bottle of Life
Truth Thomas’ Bottle of Life makes us face up to the gun barrel pointed at our head on Bodymore’s mean streets, yet an ocean away,poems like “Holy War” make us try to figure who is really the holy one–the dead Palestinian or dead Israeli lost to violence. The literary canon is referenced in this collection, and equated to a cabbie, driving by as if blinded by the color of a black man’s skin. Also, there are love poems to lesbians in this book, being appreciated from head to toe as a real people. Bottle of Life is worth imbibing for it is life blood–so fragile and precious. It is the poetic draught that keeps us running, and Truth Thomas knows that well.
–Mike Clark, Co-Publisher, Little Patuxent Review
ISBN-10: 0981858422
flipped eye publishing
To order, go to: http://www.flippedeye.net/store/
A Day of Presence
- A Day of Presence
Thomas writes about serious issues, yes, but he also writes about mundane things like the weather, but not in a mundane voice. Events happening in the world such as the war, Katrina, AIDS, racism can shape poets, can make them want to use poetry as a medium to get these issues heard and Truth Thomas’ A Day of Presence features poems that deal with heavy topics such as these. However, this is not a book that lectures or preaches; instead this is a book that tells it like it is.
–Missy McEwen, Reviewer, Immunization Against Invisibility
ISBN-10: 0981858406
flipped eye publishing
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Party of Black
Party of Black
In Party of Black, fifth in the Mouthmark series, Truth Thomas widens the scope on issues ranging from the war in Iraq and gentrification to homophobia of “GOP Preachers” and the brothers too cool for church. What’s so ironic about this debut is that Thomas, a child of the church, speaks rather than preaches to the reader. So that this PSA comes out of the voices at every street corner, barbershop and soul food establishment in America. If you are expecting an ordinary book of poems, do not open this collection. There is nothing “safe” about these poems. Especially now, that Papa’s Got a Brand New Pen.
–Alan W. King. author of Drift
ISBN-10: 1905233124
flipped eye publishing
To order, go to: http://www.flippedeye.net/store/
