Rebirth can generate feelings of an inferno that cause ash to otherwise be born again. Have you ever felt the need to begin again? Nelle J gives you another candid dose of her poetic vibes in her second book of poetry, The Phoenix Tapes. This book emerged from Nelle J's latest title, Intuitive Ramble, which focuses on themes of love, lust, empowerment, triumph, and faith.
In this book, Nelle J gives you two sides. Side A, Inferno, is a collection that dives deep into fiery, heartfelt moments that can be too much to bear or extremely exhilarating that cause spark. With her tell-it-like-it-is personality, you will feel the heat. Side B, Ash, mellows out the mood with a touch of charisma and a sense of renewal. Being authentically yourself even in heated moments is Nelle J's passion and purpose while navigating unnecessary baggage.
Are you ready for the flame wanderer?
Rebirth can generate feelings of an inferno that cause ash to otherwise be born again. Have you ever felt the need to begin again? Nelle J gives you another candid dose of her poetic vibes in her second book of poetry, The Phoenix Tapes. This book emerged from Nelle J's latest title, Intuitive Ramble, which focuses on themes of love, lust, empowerment, triumph, and faith.
In this book, Nelle J gives you two sides. Side A, Inferno, is a collection that dives deep into fiery, heartfelt moments that can be too much to bear or extremely exhilarating that cause spark. With her tell-it-like-it-is personality, you will feel the heat. Side B, Ash, mellows out the mood with a touch of charisma and a sense of renewal. Being authentically yourself even in heated moments is Nelle J's passion and purpose while navigating unnecessary baggage.
Are you ready for the flame wanderer?
Butterflies
Slurred words.
Liquid courage.
Pressure flowing
thru my veins.
Weakness.
Sweat beads
dropping down
my face.
Perspire.
Words
built up.
Vomit.
Words that weren’t
meant for you.
Guilty conscience.
Anxious Thoughts
I wonder if he feels
the same way as me.
Wishing I could
be more open
with my honesty.
This is something
I can’t swallow and bury.
But the worry
in your words
has my tunnel vision
a little blurry.
I would tell you
that I’m wound up
ready to explode.
My sweet nothings,
the love I give
ready to unfold.
My pretentious thoughts
get me in trouble,
so I’m told.
My lips and thoughts
are locked for now
even though I feel so bold.
Anomaly
Our vibe
is intense
in public.
Just our presence.
Mindfully
unbothered.
Eyes connect.
It’s getting hotter.
Unexpectedly.
We on fire.
Side B: Ash
Unapologetic
You know it’s funny
and starting to
become clear to me.
That your righteousness
causes so much
hypocrisy.
You can’t expect others
to bow down, you see.
Only your loved ones
put up with your irony.
Don’t expect respect
if you aren’t willing
to give it.
Especially if the mutuality of it
is bullshit.
When are you
gonna learn
that your self-awareness
causes blindness.
Absolutely your awareness
causes madness.
We all want
to be heard
but there’s a way to go about it.
But go ahead.
Keep not
apologizing for it.
Untitled
My mind is
ENTANGLED
with my emotions
I can’t speak.
I’m weak
and afraid of
what might
leak.
Just think
all you gotta
do is speak
your words
through your mouth
so I’m at ease.
Uncomfortable feelings
do nothing for me
but unleash
the beast.
Where I’m From
I am from sandy beaches
and salty seasons.
Palmettos vibrant.
Sunshine blazing.
I am from crabbing adventures.
Hot sauce.
Bible scriptures.
Sunday’s best.
Frilly socks.
Black shiny slippers.
I am from wise elders.
The greats,
who instilled beauty in me.
Red velvet cake.
Apple pie, homemade ice cream.
Grandma’s early bird
wake up scream.
I am from country living.
Hwy 65, 501.
Coastal chilling.
Owens street.
I am from ethnic beats.
Speakers blazing.
Karaoke machine.
I am from many goodbyes.
See you later cries.
Forever family ties.
I am from 285.
Traveled 20 west.
Ended up in the
ATL nest.
I am from a loving, dedicated,
who always sacrificed mother.
So, I could always
have better.
I am from the best childhood
she provided.
The best ever.
90s freedom.
I am from the era
that was better.
I am from a strong mind and soul;
blossoming into my destiny.
I am from the story
that is untold.
My lenses are visionary.
Educator spirit.
I am from nine years
going strong.
My next chapter is to inspire.
I am from learning and teaching
lifelong.
And she’s back… Nelle J makes a remarkable return with her latest collection of poetry. Presented like an eighty’s mixtape, Nelle J gives us The Phoenix Tapes, complete with a Side A and a Side B. Starting with a fiery journey through love, lust, empowerment, triumph, and faith,’ Nelle J takes us on a feisty, upbeat, passionate journey. She mellows us out when we get to side B bringing a more compassionate, reflective side to her writing.
A common theme that runs through Side A is toxicity. That is not hard to comprehend with titles like Boxing Match, Control Freak, Revolver and Gaslight. The poetry calls out narcissism and controlling behavior. In addition, the sequencing of the poems creates a powerful story as we transform from pain to make up sex and back to toxic moments. The brevity of the poems creates that stereotypical roller coaster sensation. The poems for Side B continue the powerful story but in a less forceful way. There are still poems that demonstrate respect for oneself and look back on the drama having left it all behind. Alternatively, there are poems that still embrace the drama and hope things will change.
Although stylistic, one of the things that drove me crazy about the book was the positioning of the poems. The fact that they are all laid out in a centralized way is neither by-the-by. However, what I did not appreciate was the amount of white space between the title and the poem that on occasion meant the last line was unnecessarily on a page on its own. I also did not like that when a poem continued on another page, it was placed quite high up. It threw the balance of reading off and caused a brief stumble whilst I processed this.
At times, the poems seem repetitive, not because they sound the same, but because similar imagery and vocabulary is used. In some ways, it solidifies the judgments of these relationships, whilst in others, it feels like seventy-six pages is a really long length over which to explore this theme and style of poetry. Speaking of style of poetry, the collection is very punchy. I imagine these poems being performed as spoken verse at an open mic light.
With the type of themes covered and the mild swear words, this book is for adults only, although angsty teens will relate. Overall, it is worth a read if one enjoys angry poems that are worthy of being performed. It is not everyone’s cup of tea, and it is likely to trigger people that have had destructive relationships. It does make it quite clear that toxic behavior is not acceptable even though the poet is living within the scenario.