jayne cortez writes firespitter poems, songs of blood and freedom and beats (and caresses) the drum of undying resistance to oppression. this book is a good introduction to her work. she write with fiery anger and real, passionate strength.

If you are thinking of going to Brazil, read the poem "Samba is Power" first, or when you're there, or after, or even if you never go. I used to think poetry was too esoteric for me. But I never felt, when reading these poems, that I was missing something. This book of poems was one of the first to get me interested in poetry. That was because they were what I wanted poetry to be: great rhythms that roll easily off the tongue, adressing the issues of the world we live in, a little silly sometimes, sometimes so cutting as to cause discomfort- but in a good way. There is so much energy and vitality in these poems- I can't convey it to you. All I can say is READ THIS BOOK! Then you'll know what it is to have your socks knocked off by a poem.