Shoulda Been Jimi Savannah

Patricia Smith is an exceptional poet. I follow her when she does readings, when possible. I am very moved by her writing. She recently received an additional honor from another Poetry Organization.Title poem is particularly wonderful....esp if you can hear her read it!

I love this book! Smith has a deep soul and is a master of craft. Her sonnets are absolutely amazing - think Motown blended with Shakespeare :) Her language has a rich thick chewy density - these poems will keep you filled up for a long time. One of my students said "I've never read a Black poet who wrote this way." Um, yeah, Black people can write any which way, just like white people. (In fact, I believe the best poetry in America these days is being written by Black poets like Smith and Terrance Hayes). But I think what my student meant was that, in the 70s-80s a very plain style of poetry seemed to be "in" among Black writers. Smith isn't that. Her word choice is amazingly varied and her lines are thick with sound play, images and surprises on all levels.

I don't know what to say about this collection except that it's brilliant. I love how she told the story of her parents. She has an amazing gift of being able to be inside of her subject's heads and write about it...so weird...and amazing. One of my mentor heroes.

In her past work, Patricia Smith has shown us that she is an astute chronicler of cultural and historical events. In Shoulda Been Jimi Savannah, we see the nexus of the Great Migration and Patricia’s family connections, and how this has affected the growth of one of our strongest poetic voices.

Absolute brilliance- will not look at slam poetry the same way again- this is top shelf! For anyone who enjoys poetry, from the classics to the contemporary, this will broaden your view of the word (yes, word) and let you into this colorful and sometimes painful world without feeling overwhelmed. Masterfully bright while maintaining control.

Fabulous book. Patricia Smith is one of the best poets in America today. This book is awesome.

A great collection of modern urban focused poetry. Most poems are cleverly interlinked and bursting with thought and reflection. Growing up in Detroit I feel the narrators pain in each piece.

Nobody does it like Pat! One of the "Top" poets to come out of the 20th century. Each book outdoes the last.