Inside my head

By Reginald S. Lewis

In this book of 69 poems, divided into four chapters, I wanted to burrow deep into my soul, through a process of the self-examination of my masculine psyche, my political consciousness and world views––shaped and mortised by my almost two decades long confinement on Pennsylvania’s Death Row. The reader is given a front seat on a fast-moving train fleeting through the disconcerted lives of the women in Afghanistan, Death Row, a misguided young black juvenile’s dreams, a frustrated would-be actress driven to murder, a bi-racial teen’s suicide, my own crack-addicted sister’s tortured life––and the tragic events of September 11, 2001, which shocked the consciousness of the nation and the world. Inside My Head is not just another glimpse of the topography of my mind––but raw testimony for readers far beyond these prison walls.

Review:

Death row intimate, Reginal S. Lewis offers up a collection of poetry that offers an impactful punch. The book is a gathering of 69 poems divided into four chapters, which are titled "Upside Down," "Outta My Head," "Literary Love Affair"and "Inside My Head." There is something for everyone in INSIDE MY HEAD.

Lewis' point of view may be different than that of the average reader, however, he writes with compelling passion and the reality of life. My personal favorite is a poem titled "A Place Called Lonely." To me, this poem spoke to the trials and tribulations a Black woman suffers at the hands of general society on a daily basis.

Reviewed by Nedine Hunter

This book (ISBN: 0-595-21920-9) is available through iUniverse and Amazon.