Queens Pitch and Kings Roll

Adrift with Divine Purpose

Tedious Journey

This “occasional poet’s” humble attempt to summarize the historical and persistent experience of almost any African American, but equally, your invitation for the second leg of our voyage. An opportunity to analyze the human condition from a black perspective through the lens of entertaining, educational, and inspirational literature.

While the old adage, “You can’t judge a book by its cover remains true,” the cover’s artwork, a ship packed with grossly undervalued, individual, ebon treasures pitching and rolling, illustrates the intended experience for the reader.

In this second volume, the individual works serve as road markers mapping out a perilous journey to which all descendants of the African continent can relate. An experience often ascribed solely to the sun-kissed but equally accessible to open-minded and less melanin-blessed individuals.

In our first collective excursion, Urwy’s Warning, you’re treated to a surreal, mythological piece of historical fiction. A veritable and entertaining exercise in hindsight toward the most critical interruption of African history and progress.

Thomas’ work, an excerpt from her upcoming novel, My House Cried Tears, more than adequately illustrates an all too common but not nearly sufficiently explored and championed theme. That of a resilient child unduly burdened and ill-equipped for the responsibilities of adult life who still manages to retain episodes of comedic joy reminiscent of Richard Wright’s Black Boy.

Shatter, by Children’s Literature author Senyah Haynes diverges from her more popularly known craft and propels us through the universal experiences of sudden, unnecessary tragic loss while expertly retaining a vital, innocent point of view. A testament to Haynes’ superb versatility in terms of subject matter.

As the title suggests, Brown’s excerpt from her upcoming autobiography, Memoirs of a Hidden Pain, is an exercise in critical introspection, an intelligent retrospective of resiliency, and a lesson in self-advocacy. She promotes self-examination and a path to healing without being preachy or overly clinical in a manner not necessarily common to a new writer with similar aims.

Ken Compton’s short story Geraldine, which details the loss and an admirable act of advocacy displayed by a professional caregiver, is a beautiful illustration of unexpected closure achieved through an act of kindness. A masterful handle on a timely theme most easily accessed by and undoubtedly essential in a “post” pandemic global society.

Finally, Dr. Hill’s article “The Souls of Protest and Resistance” encapsulates a highly intelligent and more than adequately informed recounting of the determination displayed on the part of musical giants James Brown, Marvin Gaye, and Kendrick Lamar in an effort to contribute to social change. The manner in which she explores the struggles and successes of these three lyrical master minds leaves the readers with an assurance that despite what’s going on, we gon’ be alright!

There you have it—your road map to what promises to be an enjoyable, encouraging, and insightful experience. So pack your open mind and receptive heart as well as the vittles and libations of your choice and settle in. It’s going to be a breathtaking ride!

Eddie S Pierce Jr.

Publisher & Author

Rainbow Room Publishing, LLC