Under the Sun by Glenis Redmond

[Rob Neufeld]

Under the Sun: Poems by Glenis Redmond (Main Street Rag trade paperback, 2008, 136 pages, $14.95)

Glenis Redmond--one of the most popular poets in Asheville, a 2005-06 N.C. Arts Council Literary Award recipient, and a National Poetry Slam finalist--presents her second book of poems. Redmond's work is mostly composed of songs and declarations of praise. Even when she is detailing painful aspects of life, Redmond casts them as obstacles that have been or are to be overcome. She uses oratorical devices, conversational phrases, and words laden with emotion and spirit. Many of her poems begin by speaking of people or places she knows. For instance, there's a poem about the slave cemetery in Kenilworth, an old Asheville neighborhood, where the old spirits speak to the poet, "screaming the woes of heavy air."

[nancy dillingham]

And Glenis' poem "Presence" begins the book "Christmas Presence from 45 western North Carolina women writers" that Celia Miles and I have edited and is now out. It's a beautiful poem and sets the tone for the book--as well as the inspiration for the title! Celia and I thank Glenis again for her contribution.

[Rob Neufeld]

The book is now out, Nancy? That's great! Let's start a new discussion under New WNC Books and make an entry.

[MariJo Moore]

This book is filled to capacity with beauty, honesty, love, redirection, and a surplus of marvelous imagery.

Glenis is a poetic genius!