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Title: Lyrical depth
Review: Many "spoken word performers" put the performance before their words, think poetry equates to rhythmic screaming, and personally repulse me with their egoes. Ishle Yi Park is NOT of this ilk: Ishle's poetry, exquisitely and carefully crafted, reflects truth and beauty; the confusing complexity (call it contemporary negative capability) of family dynamics and racial relations for our generation. This book has so profoundly touched me I have given away several copies to my students, including one of my 11th graders who struggled because she never identified with herself in literature, much less understood poetry, until she read Ishle. I sent Ishle a copy of the essay this student wrote about "The Temperature of This Water;" not only did Ishle write back a beautiful and tearful letter of appreciation, she took time to meet with the girl when she was in San Francisco. Hence, my respect goes to Ms. Park for the lyrical sincerity she practices in her poetry and life.
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