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New York and African Tapestries |
Poetry Among The Flowers: Queens Meets Asia | Celebrating a Tapestry of Life | Spanning The Years | Wings Span to Eternity
of Life: Reviews & Excerpts “Juanita Torrence-Thompson’s verse should
be patiently read, absorbed, then read over and over again. Hers
is a rare talent.” “Thank you so much for sharing Celebrating a Tapestry of Life. You must be
so proud of your achievements. I’m happy for you and for all of us who had a
chance to read it.” “Juanita Torrence-Thompson’s poetry is genuine in its concerns and fully
embodies a sensitivity to history and social concerns. She demonstrates an
empathy with all who suffer oppression and shows a deep regard for racism and
sexism among other more personal themes of love and relationship. Her evocative
poems, sometimes joyous and celebratory, sometimes commemorative in tone, are
clearly dedicated to our common humanity. She displays an awareness and humane
conscience in Celebrating
A Tapestry of Life, certainly worth the reading.” “Juanita Torrence-Thompson’s verse
medley Celebrating a Tapestry of Life seamlessly weaves
together the compelling concerns of African-American folk with
the universal plight of all fragile, endearing mortal beings.
Her observant eye’s “warp and weft” takes in the
privileged and the homeless alike, whether the setting is America,
England, South Africa or Beijing. No one under her gaze is given
short shrift, for she can “hear Nana saying again /Love your
fellow man” (“Litany of Life”). See Barbara Hantman's review of Juanita Torrence-Thompson’s Celebrating a Tapestry of Life at: The Pedestal Magazine “Juanita Torrence-Thompson’s Celebrating
A Tapestry of Life weaves an odyssey of one woman ... traveling
the world with persistence, grace, and sensitivity exploring London,
New York, Africa, and the Beijing International Forum on Women--as
well as the interior landscapes of love and loss. In carefully
crafted and evocative poems, this tapestry is rich in diversity--the
velvets, satins, denims, and lace of life.” “Juanita Torrence-Thompson’s... poetry
provides valuable revelations, especially of the African-American
experience which is emphasized but is presented with fairness
and grace as in the works of my friend, Claude Brown, author of
Manchild in the Promised Land. Thompson’s poems are worth
the journey. They yield up heart-felt truths which will deepen
and broaden the experiences of being a sensitive and humane human
being.” “Celebrating a Tapestry of Life is one
of those books that lovers of poetry will want to read and re-read.
The selections range from powerful statements of the damaging
effects of racial discrimination to expressions of delight at
the beauties of nature and of the precious moments of pleasure
and joy that life has to offer. Whether she is describing a natural
setting or an interesting object, Juanita Torrence-Thompson exhibits
a remarkable ability to infuse her work with sincere feeling,
and to share her own fascinating life with that of the reader.
One cannot read these works without being both impressed and deeply
moved.” “In Celebrating a Tapestry of Life, Juanita Torrence-Thompson
takes a long, searching look at the world around her and always
manages to find hope amid despair.” “Her poems deal with every day irritations...the disdain shown the homeless, being alone on a Saturday night, her travels abroad, racism....” Reader Comments: “I couldn’t put it (Celebrating a Tapestry of Life) down. I read it back to
front, starting with the bio, then the next day I read it front to back. I
love it! I’m on my fourth reading. You can tell the poet has lived these
poems. They are so real. I keep it by my bedside.” “I am enjoying this so very much. Terrific! Perfect for short bus/subway
rides. I ordered 5 from Barnes & Noble today for friends who will enjoy and
appreciate.” “I have enjoyed Juanita Torrence-Thompson’s Celebrating a Tapestry of Life
which my dear friend gave me during my recovery. She has done a beautiful job
for which she must be very proud. I’ve heard about her outstanding work over
the years, so I was not surprised when I received this book. The cover is
extremely impressive. Congratulations!” “Celebrating a Tapestry of Life has enlightened me on the subject of
history from Shirley Chisolm to Marcus Garvey. What a delightful and enjoyable book
of poems.” Audience Response to Readings: “Juanita Torrence-Thompson is an excellent reader who both inspires and instructs her audiences. Her poems are mini performance pieces that delve to the essence of cultural and personal issues. It is a pleasure to hear her.” “Humanism pervades the writings of Juanita Torrence-Thompson, permitting the
listener to travel within the childlike enthusiasm of transcendent living. —
Thanks for the loveful experience!” “I get the feeling that writing is your best friend, the place that you go to
share all of your feelings, to let the seeds of beauty you encountered in
life blossom. It is as if we get to share your life through your private
relationship with your writing. — A wonderful, colorful, rich experience!” “I was inspired by your poetry! Often when I listen to poetry, it goes over
my head... but yours I understood and felt. I felt, at the same time, that I
could write from my own experience, in my own voice, somehow that I would do
that too. Not that I could write as well as you... Thank you!” “Your poems speak to subtle aspects of the African American family. The
unity and love, the innocence not believed to be present in the African American
family. I love the aspects of your truth, your love of nature and life. The
Barbara Jordan piece is so full of love, self love, racial love and universal
love of humanism. — I love your way of ... (not) knocking the reader over the
head with what you want the reader to feel. (Especially ... in your poem about
Africa.)” “Ms. Torrence-Thompson’s reading kept me interested and smiling. Her poem “When I Am Old” was satirical and amusing. Thank you Ms. Torrence-Thompson for sharing your poetry.” “The pieces read carry in them a tremendously resilient, joyful spirit
capable of evoking the joy of experience in the listener’s own life. The work also
carries the perspective of a life lived, and, through the depiction of foreign
cities, events passed by, people of the past, present, and future, these
pieces also create a lovely portrait of you as the author. Enjoyed the program
quite a bit.” “I enjoyed the sensitivity and honesty of your poetry. You seem to come
directly from the heart and speak with a clarity that is inspirational... ” “Prof. Dawson, Rochelle Ratner and Mrs. Reardon, your English teacher, would
be very proud to see how their protege flowered. A very enjoyable highlight of
the week.” “What struck me most within each poem, is Ms. Thompson’s love and
appreciation of life’s experience, regardless of the lightness or darkness of the
experience itself. Truly delightful! She made me want to get out my passport and walk
down that street!!! Thank you!” “I so enjoyed your perspective and your humor! Thank you. It’s wonderful that
your voice comes through without anger, and allows my thoughtfulness to
consider what you’re saying.” “I loved the imagery you painted with your words... I feel blessed to have
shared your world.” “It was so enjoyable hearing you read your work...! Your words are quite
descriptive, light and flowing — easily into one another — I particularly enjoyed
“The Picnic Game” which brought my own memories to mind. You are truly blessed
and I wish you the best.” “I loved your readings. They were as if you were reading them for the first
time. Refreshing and fun, without any sense of pretentiousness. Thank you.” “Light. Direct. From the heart.
"Uncomplicated expression! Thank you.” “Wonderful voice. Enjoyed the reading. Much success.” “Fantastic! Original and true.” Excerpts of poems from Celebrating a Tapestry of Life: WHY AREN’T WE IN HISTORY BOOKS? ...Why aren’t we in history books? LITANY OF THE WOMAN ...Can’t hold me back LA DOLCE VITA Between salad, spaghetti, Celebrating a Tapestry of Life poetry
excerpts Juanita Torrence-Thompson has weekly poetry column “Celebrating a Tapestry of Life” for New Voice of New York (newspaper and online). |
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