Shouting from Constricted Lungs

I had a chance to see the author K.J. Wells at a reading in Philadelphia for the Vol. 20 launch of Philadelphia Poets. She read Trophy Hunter, Kites, and Sacrifice. Her energy was awesome! She does a beautiful job in Kites paralleling letting go of grief and learning how to fly. Sacrifice was reminiscent of Love Jones and Neo-Soul and Brown Sugar. It gives you that finger snapping, Jill Scott scandalous actually...but delicious! I had to fan myself! It's like a neo soul poetic version of 50 Shades. The poem is hot! Trophy Hunter elicits images of the predatory nature of animals/abusers, juxtaposed with a man seeking to make a trophy of his victims. It's very intense! I don't normally go for poetry, though I appreciate it's art. I prefer longer stories that unfold page by page and chapter by chapter. I think I'll add more to my repertoire after this reading. KJ Wells has a young fresh voice and the imagery of her words is astounding! Good read!