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“Liquid Lunch” (CLICK IMAGE ON LEFT TO PURCHASE) is a blues-inspired debut collection of poetry by Stephen Bess. Successfully sprinkling dialect of Black Americans, Bess covers topics such as spirituality, human relations, traditions, and how our lives intertwine with music.
Bess successfully tackles a male’s sexual prowessness and how his ‘old lady’ handles him in “Here’s the Situation”. He states, “I just wish my ‘old lady would cut me some slack / ’cause I just met this sweet, fine thing. . .” Bess cleverly challenges the reader with Black folklore in somber “Death Bells”–a highly effective, brilliantly repetitive poem detailing the connection between life and death. Poem “Sweet and Steady”–a definite read, and personal favorite–instantly pulls you in with the narrator’s tongue-in-cheek, and appropriately teasing words.
“Liquid Lunch” is serious, humorous, and entertainingly completed with musicality. This collection captures Black South and, like the Blues, represents how Black Americans make the best out of uncomfortable situations. A definite must-read book. For a complementary book, I’d suggest Nikki Giovanni’s “Blues: For All the Changes”.
Author’s Bio:
Author, Stephen Bess
Stephen Bess was born and partly raised in Washington, D.C. He spent his summers in Eastern North Carolina with his grandparents, and soon entered middle school there at the age of 12. Stephen went on to complete his High School education in North Carolina and joined the US Navy after graduation. Stephen’s journey has always been a source of inspiration in his writing. His work has appeared on websites such as Poéfrika, Words on Paper Literary Journal, 79th Street Seniors, and various publications. Stephen Bess lives and works in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area with his wife and daughter. He works as a writer and Plain Language consultant.
