The Maverick Room
by Thomas Sayers Ellis
Published by Published by Graywolf Press
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
Thomas Sayers Ellis' debut work, The Maverick Room, has "urban" written all over it. It is an edgy and thought-provoking collection of poems. In it Ellis acts as our tour guide as we travel with him—and immerse ourselves in his view of the language of hip hop and pop art, the neighborhood, family, culture and much more.
I might not be the best person to review poetry but I was moved by his concise, almost stark manner of writing. His emotions shine through. I kept thinking of Lawrence Ferlinghetti (my favorite poet), and although their poetry is different in so many ways—because both men's thoughts are for their own particular time, their messages are both timeless.
If you like gritty, urban, thought-provoking poems, this volume is for you.