This unique innovative and rare collection of poetry and autobiographical writing from a diverse group of black and mixed-race women is the second of its kind in the UK. These creative writers take us on a journey and offer us a preview of their distinct and diverse perspectives on sexual attraction, love and motherhood. Some of the contributors were published in the first anthology Brown Eyes; some are new and previously unheard yet talented writers. All provide a reflection of many aspects of Black cultural heritage.
Nicole Moore was born in London and is a freelance writer and arts consultant. She is the founder of Shangwe and the co-founder of Words of Colour Productions. Nicole is the Editor of Brown Eyes: A selection of creative expressions by black and mixed-race women (2005). A published poet, her work has been published in Poetry Today Anthologies.
This anthology of poetry and autobiographical writing is eclectic and revelatory. The 19 authors are black and mixed-race women ranging from their early twenties to early fifties, living in the UK, offering us an insight into their distinct and diverse creative writing perspectives.
The Editor, Nicole Moore’s aims were clearly and simply to discover new and diverse talent, ensure representation and to promote poetry and autobiographical writing of black and mixed-race women from African and African-Caribbean backgrounds. The writers tell their narratives, presenting their views in passionate, intelligent, humorous, strong, reflective and spiritual voices, some unheard; some previously published in the first anthology Brown Eyes.
The book is divided into two sections: Sugar and Spice, which includes a collection of 30 poems and 6 essays on the themes of sexual attraction, in particular, whether race, culture, identity, ethnicity and heritage play a part in sexual attraction and whether or not these factors are important or not. From losing your virginity, one night stands, other women, unconventional relationships, to love at first sight; this is a must read.
The second section Joy and Pain includes a collection of 15 poems and 4 essays on the themes related to the many aspects and layers of motherhood. Both the Sugar and Spice and Joy and Pain sections are intrinsically linked and complement each other.
Sexual Attraction Revealed offers a fresh and revealing insight into the lives of black and mixed-race women in 21st century Britain. This Shangwe produced 2nd anthology will provide a showcase for today’s black and mixed-race writers; a permanent record of diverse creativity for today and tomorrow.
Just to give you a little taster here are three poems from the Sugar and Spice section:
Meet Me in that Place by Karen Plumb, One Night Stand by Nicola Greenwood and The Succulence of Fruit by Louise Hercules.
Meet Me in that Place Meet me in that place where only you and I can go;
Our lips join, skin and bodies mould
United in a haven of our own design.
Raw passion unleashed has freedom to explore;
Oh I need you inside, how much further before…
Our minds, hearts, all intimate parts melt:
To form a molten whole.
Time and time you have taken me to that place
To others, unknown and unseen
Leaving no trace when we go,
No one can tell where we’ve been.
Conspicuously we are hand in hand
Towards a path of discovery
That leads to each other’s secret space.
Higher and higher we climb ecstatic,
Harder and harder it is to come to the end
Taking turns to lead and then to follow
Intimacy, desire and obsession Become our special friends.
That place is more familiar now.
Yet again and again, I am struck by how
You surprise me
With what you know:
A familiarity that breathes content.
No longer do we need to map directions;
Highlighting landmarks and beauty spots.
Together we have discovered new places of desire;
New heights to soar: unknown to us before.
And our bodies merged long ago too:
You are now part of me,
As I am part of you.
One Night Stand
She had he
He had she
It was a bedtime story
Never to be read again
The Succulence of Fruit
When I sealed you to my sequined breast
You bore right in and never left
For there you grazed across the core
In seasons four?
Well, I’m not sure
But through every vacant pore you crept
To bind me tighter as I slept to dream of heaven scented flesh
Upon my own there you would rest
For days….nights….unhurried….still
Enough to claim the shattered will that lay in pieces at your feet
Perhaps it was a clear defeat
Complete annihilation of the soul?
Indeed, I still resolve into the bitter succulence that is…..
This unrelinquished bliss.