Reviews

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For Robin, BiBi’s ‘white chocolate’,

may truth always be your light.

For Doll, my cousin whose artistry with

words inspired me from an early age. 

R.I.P.

Y.B. Taylor's Let Truth Shine! is, as the title suggests, a volume of 34-poems speaking TRUTH or Nokore, which is the Western African Adinkra symbol for truth. 

Truth always stands and it will always remain

unchanged regardless of the circumstance.

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light

of truth upon them.”

Ida B. Wells (1862-1931)

American investigative journalist,

educator, and early leader in the civil

rights movement

For those who as Colonel Nathan R. Jessup in "A Few Good Men" states, "You can't handle the truth!" -- there are 43 footnotes substantiating references made in poems.

For those who no longer deem it necessary to smile and placate others uncomfortable with truth.

Y.B. Taylor's Living With Texture! is, as the subtitle suggests, a volume of poems woven from love. Every aspect of this work--from its cover through its powerful lyrics, to its luminous epigraphs, and its signifying symbol--is an expression of the author's love of words, of African culture, and of people of color, especially Black women. The collection is a paean to our history and a rebuke of a sick and lost America that brutalizes and refuses to appreciate or even see its Black queens and their realities. This is a work whose author demands recognition ("Can you see me now?") and proclaims herself the bard of her people ("So I write Black"), a work signaling the demise of The Birth of a Nation and the "dawning of a new day."

Daryl Cumber Dance, Professor Emerita

Virginia Commonwealth University

University of Richmond

To ALL persons - black, brown, red, yellow, alabaster, and everything in between. To ALL persons still fighting for rights and equality in this, the 21st century.

In YB Taylor’s Shoes, I found songs of truth. A rhythmic chant; our communal thoughts posed so precisely by this talented poet. At times it seems like she is reading my mind, distilling my thoughts into fluid chants of verse. Remarkably timely and timeless, our memories placed on the page with the melodies of our histories celebrated or challenged with every phrase. 

Daphne Maxwell Reid

I don't remember telling you about the uniqueness of your most recent literary birth. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. I am requesting you continue with your pregnancies. You birth exceptional literary children. Hurry up and get pregnant again.
With Blessings,

Mary Jackson, Retired Librarian

"Very interesting!"

Raven Lynch, Head Buyer

VMFA Gift Shop

"To ebony kings and queens for which the struggle continues."

I have always believed the best writing accomplishes several tasks. It commands your attention, evokes strong feeling, compels you to think, and inspires you to act. Y.B. Taylor excels in every regard. She garners your rapt attention and respect when she refrains, AIN’T GOT TIME FOR CRAZY!  

Reading Y.B. Taylor’s poetry evokes a multi-sensory experience. You almost smell the “oh-so sweet rich fertilized life-giving soil” of the Motherland in I SEE MYSELF. It is easy to visualize the poignant Gordon Parks photos in IMAGERY from the VMFA exhibit.  

Page after page, the rhythm of her writing, the syncopation of the verse bring to mind tribal drumbeats and village elders chanting, “yes, go, tell them my child.”  

Sabrina Squire, Award-winning News Anchor, WWBT-12 (retired) 

"To my mother, whom I physically resemble, and whose behaviors and actions I frequently emulate, but not as frequently as she would like."

This literary child of yours is filled with intellectual common sense and valuable information. After finishing the book, I found myself re-reading some of the poems. "I am Here Because..." inspired me to do a little librarian research on Rockfarm Estate; I saw the names Ned and Doily.  

Please continue to use your literary gift; it is impressive as well as informative.

Mary Jackson, Retired Librarian

“THE” ULTIMATE REVIEW - Your new book, “Keeping It Real!,” is GREAT!  I know you worked hard on this one.... It was a real page turner.  However, I couldn't have gotten through it without The "Write" Stuff and the Endnotes.  

My Mom!

"To my father, Archie Bernest Burrell (1928-2003), you remain an inspiration for many of my poems."

You surpassed the superlative with this book.  I began reading the first poem and asked my husband to listen.  He was enjoying it so much, I sat and read the entire book.  Of course, having an audience, the expressions became more pronounced with each entry.   My husband said, "Keep on writing - he enjoyed it."  I, too, wish your dad could see you now - a prolific writer.  

Mary Jackson, Retired Librarian

I am of the opinion that this is your best work to date. Powerful!  

Jerry Williams, Ardent Supporter

"To my parents, who started me on my journeys; to my husband, who supports my journeys; to my daughters, for whom I continue my journeys."

... I thoroughly enjoyed reading “Journeys of Freedom.”  Since [“What I Know...] taught me that every read reveals something new, I was even more excited as I approached my second and my third reads of this, your second book.   

As with the first book, the introductory quotes are brilliant and serve as a most unique trait for your works.  The selection and pairing of each is not only appropriate, but further serves to lift the meaning of your prose.   

While neither of your works allows the reader to decline to any sense of hopelessness, present in your first book was a smoldering anger many of us know all too well.  However, “Journeys of Freedom” seems to speak more of lessons to be taught and lessons to be learned.  So eloquently stated, there is an accountability inferred here that we, as stewards of our own history, cannot shirk.

Anonymous

Hi Yolanda! You don't know me, but I wanted to let you know how much of a profound impact you have had on my life. In 2014, I was a sophomore at Clover Hill High School. My favorite teacher, Ms. Clarke was teaching American History. She quickly became a friend, mentor, and all-time favorite teacher of mine. She made every student feel seen and she truly cared about our success. In becoming close to Ms. Clarke, she gave me your book "What I Know... Poems of Life". On the inside cover, she wrote about how authors like you spoke for her when she felt like her words didn't matter and encouraged me to always live out loud. She wrote "May you live out loud and let people hear your voice". Tragically, Ms. Clarke passed away a few months later after battling cancer. I still feel the random pangs of hurt missing her. Im now 26, living in Boston. I kept this book with me through every dorm, apartment, condo, and town house. I revisit your book and Ms. Clarke's note every now and then, and I thought I ought to let you know. Thank you for giving other women a voice when they aren't sure how to use their own. Your impact has rippled outward and I will continue to pay it forward. Thank you! N.S.

"To those who have 'been there and done that'!

To those too young to remember!

To those who don't understand, but want to!"

Thank you for “What I Know ... .” 

I really enjoyed it.  

Nikki Giovanni

“Poems of Life” gives an insight and view from a little black girl to a successful black woman....  It takes you from pain to accomplishments seamlessly....  Although you are a “Lady of the Pen,” you are also myfriend; thanks for allowing me to walk in your GRACE and seeing LIFE from a black female's point of view....  Peace  

Darryl Ellis, DNA Fitness, LLC

Your book made me laugh and cry, and think. ... I don’t go a week without reading from it.  My favorite is “Renaissance Woman.”   

Ruth Stirling, Ruth Stirling Travel