Lyrically Compelling: On Mahogany L. Browne’s ‘Kissing Caskets’
Book Review by Haley Searcy
Haley Searcy talks about feminism, Black society, and sexuality in Mahogany L. Browne’s poetry chapbook.
Mahogany L. Browne
Poetry | 42 pages | Reviewed: Paperback
978–1–936919–49–9 | Blue Note Edition | $14.00
YesYes Books | Portland, Oregon | BUY HERE
In her poetry collection Kissing Caskets, Mahogany L. Browne utilizes free-verse form to emphasize the nature of the subjects of the poems. They dance across the page and create beautiful pieces of art that are visually compelling, as well as lyrically compelling. Some pieces are given titles, while others stand out on their own pages. “Sky of Falling” is one of these poems that is on its own page, and though it is short and simple, it resonates with heart:
“beneath you
& the sky of falling
green grass patch of land
tumbling beneath your feet”
(p. 9).
Many of the poems are a reflection of life in our society as a Black person. Browne’s poem “Working Title” provides a list of title ideas for a poem about different social aspects of being Black. The poem is a very strong piece that gathers intensity the further into it you read. Browne’s use of repetition and spacing brings to light the repeated stories we hear and how unpredictable it can be simply to live.
“The name of this poem is:
How to smile & not make yourself a target”
(“Working Title,” p. 27)
There is also a discussion about romance and sexuality throughout the poems in the collection. They are coming-of-age pieces about growing up as a female and finding yourself while trying to figure out who you can and can’t trust. There are moments where her words are ethereal and perfectly chosen to create a sense of dissociation from the self:
“you are climbing
outside of yourself
you are climbing
to the safest branch in a tree above”
(“The First Kiss,” p. 12).
Browne’s collection consists of beautiful poems that depict moments of love and sadness. There are themes of smiles, and also themes of guns and darkness. The eloquence of Browne’s words makes this poetry collection a wonderful and heart-wrenching read. It is full of passion and emotion that can be enjoyed by anyone with an empathetic heart and a thirst for good poetry.
