POETRY REVIEW: A Woman’s Story-Her Prerogative Spoken Through His Words By Derrick Graham

Title:                A Woman’s Story                                                             

                          Her Prerogative Spoken Through His Words                                          

Author:          Derrick Graham

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Follow Derrick Graham on his website

 

About The Author

Derrick was born in Huntsville, AL. In 1992, he joined the United States Navy. During his 20 year career, he served with the Marines and the Seabees. He’s also been deployed to the Mediterranean, Japan, and Afghanistan. In August 2014, he graduated from Grantham University with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. In September 2016, he graduated from Grantham University with his Business Leadership Certificate. In October 2016, his first poetry collection was published entitled Heartfelt Moments: Treasures of the Heart. This book was written to help veterans and their families develop possible coping mechanisms for handling an array of problematic issues. It also has a message for everyone even if they didn’t have an affiliation with the military. Derrick currently resides in Huntsville, AL with his wife Felesha.

 

Book Blurb

I am strong and liberated and difficult to understand. I am determined in my agenda no different than a man. If I see something I want, I’ll watch then I’ll see if he is definitely the man that’s perfect for me. Derrick Graham’s A Woman’s Story takes the reader on a journey of love, confusion, motivation, and tearful moments. Each climatic experience reveals a message that strives for stability in life and relationships. Although it is spoken through his words, it illustrates it’s not easy being a woman.

 

The Review

A Woman’s Story (Her Prerogative Spoken Through His Words) By Derrick Graham is a journey through the life and heart of a woman at various points in her life as she sometimes smiles and sometimes struggles to make sense of the world and her situation in it.

The poems are written in the first person by the woman (in whose voice Derrick Graham is speaking) The book, that is almost like a diary of a woman, is a good mix of poems of gravity, and those in a lighter vein. Some talk of incidents, some of feelings and others of her own shortcomings, as she sees them.

What stands out is the poetic introduction and ending to the book where the poet speaks to the reader in a poem.

The poetry here spills the words hidden in the heart of a woman, as a man sees it, and that makes them different from the other books where the man or the woman is speaking for himself or herself.

Some of the parts that I found very appealing are

Until you become a mother
You won’t know what they’ve been through (from Being A Good Mother)

You don’t appreciate a good thing
Until it finally leaves you  (from Good Thing)

When I write a poem
They always seem to rhyme

and

When I write a poem
My mind and soul are free
It allows for more familiarization
For myself to get to know me (from When I Write a Poem)

I Return the Favor is a particularly touching piece for its feelings.

If you are looking for poetry with a simplicity of language, an inspiring, conversational tone and feelings that many women will identify with, read this very nicely put-together collection from Derrick Graham.