I’ve always believed that one can never truly appreciate a book unless one understands the writer’s story. For example, we can never really appreciate Hemingway’s work unless we know something of his adventurous lifestyle, chronic alcoholism, sporadic depression, complex love life, military interests, and his beloved Finca Vigía. As well, much of Zora Neale Hurston’s personal life (and struggles), her Eatonville influences, as well as her connection to mentors Franz Boaz and Charlotte Osgood Mason deeply influenced her writing. Likewise, Baldwin’s childhood experiences (as well as his open homosexuality) certainly shaped and molded the caustic writer’s brilliant essays on race, class, society, and culture. A writer’s personal story is just as important as their written story
Detroit Poet Nina Simmone Cofield approached me at a Barnes and Noble book signing event and introduced herself as someone I’d met on Facebook. I – certainly impressed that she’d traveled all the way from Ypsilanti to attend the signing, and to purchase my book – took great delight in her interest in my new book and sincere interest in literature. We rambled on about life, art, writing, the Harlem Renaissance, and the emergence of what we considered to be a new black arts movement. We even talked about our personal lives, professional lives, life-challenges, and even her deceased fiancé. Then I mentioned to her my interest in reviewing her new book of poetry, and wanted to know if she’d send me a copy. Sure!
Echoes Resound Forever is a classic display of good poetry. Issues of Addiction and Hate sharply contrasts The Beauty of Love, to the more effervescent Sonata. At times, the book reads like a memorial to her deceased fiancé, “Juan”, and even has pictures of him and his children. Cofields poetry is delicate and passionate, and her poetic prose binds us to an ethereal voyage into the spiritual dimension of Cofield’s beautiful mind and soul. Some of Cofield’s moments are deeply poignant while others provide fleeting glimpses of epic loves lost. Breezy is simply astounding:
Wind Whirling
Whirling Wind
Attraction confirmed
Love began
Sharing lives
So hard to pretend
If only there was enough
Time
To love you again
But, perhaps the most moving of all is the beautiful and passionate memorial titled, My Kids. Here, Cofield’s love for her beloved Juan extends far and wide:
My children I never gave birth to. One day after becoming adults may you understand my relationship with you was more than just loving your father and caring for you as a result of, but it was because I truly do love each one of you.
Nothing will ever replace our talks, laughter, staying up all night watching movies, watching daddy be silly, and watching him tornado through the house after work. I hope you never forget the connection we all hold together, most importantly, bonded by your dad.
Amidst the current over-abundance of third-rate urban book reads (masquerading as literature) saturating inner-city bookshelves, Echoes Resound Forever will perhaps go unnoticed and never receive the critical attention it deserves. That stated, I am lucky to have bore witness to Nina Simmone Cofield as having reignited our interest in the art of poetry. But I am also grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with Nina and listen to her story.
Book available at Amazon.com NEXT WEEK!!!
what about the kennedys 
Nina, Nina Nina… I just read “My Kids”; it was so loving and heartwarming… Your poetry reminds me of the poetry I was drawn to when life was simple and joyous. I like being reminded of those feelings. Thank you. Congrats to you Nina! This book is going to be a best seller I’m sure.
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