Truths is a collection of poems inspired by God, love, and black culture. Through
watching his mother struggle to make ends meet, the killing of George Floyd in 2020, romantic relationships, and God’s faithfulness in every area of his life, Nigel
Fulmore-Smith found inspiration, solace, healing, and joy through his complex and multifaceted poetry. Vulnerable and relatable, Truths encourages men aged twelve to twenty-five and anyone else who desires change in this world, that they are not alone.
Truths is a collection of poems inspired by God, love, and black culture. Through
watching his mother struggle to make ends meet, the killing of George Floyd in 2020, romantic relationships, and God’s faithfulness in every area of his life, Nigel
Fulmore-Smith found inspiration, solace, healing, and joy through his complex and multifaceted poetry. Vulnerable and relatable, Truths encourages men aged twelve to twenty-five and anyone else who desires change in this world, that they are not alone.
The apparent truth isÂ
I will die one day.
My sins will be paid.
I will walk in Heaven
hopefully,
Like an innocent deer.
One day I will learn to face
My prevalent fears.
I will die one day.
And when that day comes-
I will be ready.
Another apparent truth
is that I love,
and when I love,
I love hard.
I probably love too densely.
Maybe I take things too far.
But when I love,
I like to show how it’s true.
I will love from the outside
to the person’s deepest roots.
I will love wholly,
and one day
I will acquire the love that I’ve been giving.
Truths by Nigel Fulmore-Smith is a collection of sixteen poems inspired by God, love, and black culture. The author's poetry painted quite a picture with their use of imagery. In Lukewarm Coffee, the author writes, "I want to burn with a fire that can scold the devil's tongue" (3). This line creates a mental image of Satan fanning his smoking tongue.Â
Love has its ups and downs. We often love those more deeply than they love us. Quite frequently, people find themselves in relationships where the other person is incapable of loving another, let alone themselves. She Loved a Man explores this matter and will strike a chord for many who read it. The author also emphasizes the importance and value of getting to know someone and not just seeing them as a conquest. Support one another, grow together, think of their feelings first, and watch as your relationship is better because of it. I agree! If you want a long, lasting relationship, get to know a person's mind, not just their body.Â
Some poems reflect on topics centered around black culture. Chauvin talks about a dark day in history and how a man's action helped many find their voice and how their voices spark hope for the future. We've heard the saying, "Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt me." The author is correct; words hurt (Sticks and Stones). They leave festering wounds on the inside, sometimes causing irreparable damage to one's mental health.Â
Truths was a short read but a profound one. Its page length makes it the perfect book to accompany you on your lunch break. After you read it, I'm sure you'll recommend it to your family and friends. I sure am! The book can be read and appreciated by teens and adults.Â