Ceremonies is an impressive collection of memorable poetry and commentary by Essex Hemphill, one of the few authors who dares to openly portray African American gay life. Raw, compelling, gut-wrenching verse is the hallmark of this serious and powerful compilation. American Hero: I have nothing to lose tonight./All my men surround me, panting,/as I spin the ball above our heads/on my middle finger./It's a shimmering club light/and I'm dancing, slick in my sweat./Squinting, I aim at the hole/fifty feet away. I let the tension go./Shoot for the net. Choke it,/I never hear the ball/slap the backboard. I slam it/through the net. The crowd goest wild/for our win. I scored/thirty-two points this game/and they love me for it./Everyone hollering/is a friend tonight./But there are towns,/certain neighborhoods/where I'd be hard pressed/to hear them cheer/if I move on the block.

I don't remember when I first encountered Essex Hemphill,( all I recall is that I heard him at some poetry reading) but from the start I found his talent overwhelming. His dynamic writing captivated my imagination and has inspired part of my committment to articulating Black lesbian/gay experience. I am particularly struck by how few words it took for him to drive home his powerful points. A spare, but spiritually and artistically charged wordsmith, the literary world lost a giant when he passed. I simply adored this fine gay brother whose writings showed him to be a strong, loving and insightful spirit! BUY THIS BOOK!

I am a white gay man who dates black men exclusively. This book is a beautiful insight to one of the most oppressed and misunderstood segements of American society. With the knowledge and insight I have gained from reading this book, I feel I am better able to please my men.

Brother to Brother is an outstanding collection of stories. Anyone (gay or not) can relate to the akwardness of a first kiss or frustration with the "single club scene". These are some of the themes in Brother to Brother. In San Francisco there is a theatre show called "Up Jumped Springtime" that puts some of the stories from this book on stage. Three fine actors do justice to every word. Neither the book nor the show are to be missed. Both are engageing, sexy and will have you in the floor laughing!