My Sentiments Exactly, Krystal Rains

A poignant tome of insightful prose
As I went through this book of poetry, I took my time and absorbed the clear views of so many situations. It felt as if the author had a view into my personal experiences, but it is true that so many of our personal are reflected throughout our world. Our lived experiences, good or bad, simple but more often complex in emotions and responses. There were views that were uncomfortable, others joyous and uplifting, mirroring the ebbs and flows of life and our walk through it. Moments of laughter and then of remembered pain, balanced with a page of Haiku. It is a brilliantly executed sharing, reflective, yet hopeful. I do recommend you pick up your own copy and delve into the pages that brought me peace and insight into realms that I had shut the door on.

My Sentiments Exactly, Jamie Eaddy Chism

 Charlene E. Green uses poetry to masterfully write about joy and pain, struggle and triumph, love and life. Whether it is "Zookeeper," "Salad and Water," or "Time Management," she takes you on an honest and thought-provoking journey, painting pictures with her words every step of the way. My Sentiments Exactly is a must read. 

Vicariously Speaking, Lynda V.E. Crawford 

Hustle Diva’s poems make me think—and smile. Her poems are long enough and insightful enough to give you time to settle in, to take in the massaging and uplifting words of hope. 

Every line of “Self-Construction” is a powerful reminder, a kneading of those tight muscle-coils to bring out the best, the power in you. 

If you ever get a chance to see her perform, take it. She's that good. She’s a hardworking blessing; take in the self-confidence her poems are striving to give you. 

Vicariously Speaking, Wil Bowers
People feel “seen” when someone finds a creative way of expressing an experience many have had but may never share honestly with others. Anyone who has had an unfulfilling relationship, struggled with their finances, felt like they were not reaching their personal goals, or wondering if their passion would remain elusive will feel “seen” while reading Vicariously Speaking. Charlene E. Green has injected insight, depth, and wit into this stunning book of poetry. The phrase “something for everyone” is often overused, but I believe anyone will find themselves nodding in agreement and self-recognition, and even having first-time realizations about themselves in Vicariously Speaking.

Vicariously Speaking, Mya Cooper

 "I really love & respect the thought you put into Vicariously Speaking. I read it just in time, as it is very on theme for what I'm currently going through.  My favorite poems in the book are "Self-Construction," "Eyes of Truth," & "Acknowledgement."

You Betta WRITE!, Paul Preuss
What follows is, frankly, inadequate. Reading your poems was a nonstop revelation of truth, power, empathy, experience, and skill. Sometimes it was funny. Sometimes it was beautiful. It was always profoundly moving.

I love books and generally try not to mess mine up, but when I get a good one I'm prone to dog-earing it. That was the fate of You Betta WRITE! So many lines, so many poems I wanted to make sure I could find again fast.

A paragraph in the second section of the free verse part, from "My Apologies to the War Heroines"

I'm sorry that in your world sending them to the store is synonymous with sending them to their grave

 which, although far from alone in this book in its power, just leaped off the page and hit me right between the eyes as one of the most cogent statements of the mess this country is in I've read anywhere. Nineteen words that say more than a crate full of New York Times articles, from a poem about an issue that bears more and more heavily on anyone even half conscious.
Your reach doesn't begin to stop there. Some rare and unique statements are gentle and personal, like the one that begins

Let's meet At our spot The one with our initials Already carved Into the Universe's memory

While others are just as personal but far from gentle. "Tally," for example:

That one moment you stopped counting his infractions added up your worth divided yourself from your fears multiplied your faith and subtracted him from your life

 And the ones that are downright funny at the same time they remind us of the subtlest of human interactions:

across the grooves of my lifelines will be all the answers I'll need to slide summa cum laude effortlessly into your soul

Okay! Stop me before I quote about 150 pages of poetry. My point is simple: you are wonderfully gifted, with a voice -- voices, I mean, each always right on -- that deserve to be heard and read far and wide.

I've been enthusing over the free verse, but equally enjoyed your excursions into sonnets and haiku, which in each case produced work unlike anything I've read. A haiku that doesn't twitter about falling cherry blossoms but reminds us that karma's a beast packs terrific punch. As throughout the book, the sections for black life and black youth in each part lifted me a little higher in understanding.

You succeeded in many unexpected ways in achieving your stated goal of inspiring this reader to strive for personal goals (in my case, in fiction) by sharing your experiences. Thank you, Charlene.