When I attended Katherine Alexander's book launch in November 2010, I remember being taught a lesson in humanity. And when I received my copy of "Voices of the Forgotten," I decided that I should read it slowly and carefully.
It is one thing to claim that we can speak on behalf of those that others can neither see nor hear. It is quite another to do it the way Alexander does it – masterfully and unapologetically. She does not write poems, she wakes up consciences. Her words cut and bruise; they are viscerally humbling. Humbling because they describe situations that we either pity or to which we turn a blind eye – and force us to face our passivity. After all, we had rather think that donating money to charities will eventually solve problems...
This collection teaches empathy, compassion and respect. It shows that Love is a present from God that nobody has the right to take away from us. It does not matter who we are, from where we come, and what we have or have not done. We are all entitled to happiness.
"You began by creeping but now you will run
You will move swiftly and smoothly towards your destiny
As you succeed, the pain and the hurt of the past will become a distant memory
The trials of the future will not ground you; you will soar!"
- "Soar," p.19
If you have not read "Voices of the Forgotten," go buy your copy right now. It will change your outlook on life!
"Voices of the Forgotten" is available at Createspace, Amazon and McNally Robinson Booksellers.
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Cendrine Marrouat is a writer, published author and translator living in Canada. Official Website: http://www.cendrinemarrouat.com
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