New Book from Poet Makeela B. Amani

In her second book of poetry, Makeela B. Amani

ISBN 0-941266-34-6   114 Pages $12 US Potions & Plots Unraveled from my Locs More Images that Smack Convention by Makeela B. Amani

expertly brings a variety of emotions to the  fore. Whether she depicts the hardship of the Diaspora’s striving to thrive under the yoke of oppression, or the delicate give and take of individuals falling in and out of love, Potions & Plots Unraveled from my Locs portrays anthems of pride, pain, and passion and the will to persevere against adversity. 

Makeela’s poetry reflects the love, struggles, and joys of people of African descent and people in general.  Makeela's poetry is rhythmic and conveys a high mastery of syllables and soliloquies, love, power and empathy.  In the images in her general body of artistic work, she unleashes heavy-handed critiques aimed at those who hurt, and caresses with her words those most in need of comfort.

 In Potions & Plots, Makeela explores issues of self-love and beauty standards; giving thanks to the Creator and ancestor veneration; the manner in which men of African descent can help the Diaspora flourish; the beauty and resilience of her tightly coiled hair and the need for alternate hair grooming practices in the Diaspora.  In this tome, Makeela is the ever-vigilant observer, castigating the perpetrators of self-annihilation in our communities, as well as, praising those who fight for justice human rights and common courtesy.

Reviews

·          “The raw energy, loving words and brutal honesty of a young woman put to paper.  Entering Makeela's world and reading her words is  a journey into the minds of women everywhere.”  - JO-ANN NINA,  SHOCKLEE ENTERTAINMENT

“In Potions and Plots Unraveled from my Locs, Makeela [B. Amani] does more than unravel, she unleashes! This is, by far, the sharpest and the harshest presentation of pain, pride, and power that I've read in a long time.  The entire text, images, and words unfold then cascades through each long and short poem.  It’s intelligent poetry, full of both familiar and unfamiliar words, as well as popular and unpopular topics.  All of it is handled brilliantly; as she singles out victims and perpetuators (including herself) for a well-deserved smack down and help-me-up!  I loved it.”  -NORMAN ALEXANDER ALKAMAL JEMMOTT, AUTHOR, CONVERSATIONS WITH MY VIOLENT SIDE (Kibo Books, 2007)