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Rhythms: The Poetry Connoisseur’s Gourmet Meal
- By Wyatt O'Brian Evans
- Published 08/4/2007
- Book Reviews & Excerpts
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Wyatt O'Brian Evans
I'm an actor/comedian, voice talent/instructor, writer and author. My bylines have appeared in publications including the Washington Post, Washington Blade, Prince Georges County, Maryland Journal, and American Politics and Metropolitan Washington magazine. I conceived, developed and wrote an African-American, gay, erotic serial for Gay Black Male magazine. My new full-length novel (gay/ethnic/erotica) is entitled "Nothing Can Tear Us Apart."
View all articles by Wyatt O'Brian EvansRhythms: The Poetry Connoisseur’s Gourmet Meal
“Well, we, collectively—gay, straight, bi, transgender, leather, black, white, brown, rich, poor, middle class, old, young or somewhere in between all of this—are all in a new renaissance period of expression, whether it’s rap music, homo-rap, new age, poetry, spoken word, jazz, socio-political, or a combination of all of the above. There is no time like now to have a say, express yourself, and record it in history.”
That’s part of author Leo Shelton’s response to the question of, “what’s your perspective regarding the state of Black gay lit?” Mr. Shelton is the founder of Tugson Press, which has just released Rhythms, his new book of poetry. Rhythms truly is a gourmet meal for the poetry connoisseur.
Shelton added, “The state of gay black literature is stronger, and more varied and braver than ever. But it has to keep growing: not through what is commercially viable necessarily, but through what is good and truthful--and even sometimes nasty-- but still noteworthy.”
Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, the author/publisher is the middle child of a Catholic family of five boys. During the last four of his nearly 11 years in the Navy, he was stationed in the metropolitan Washington area. Subsequently, he made D.C. his home.
Shelton certainly has had a “busy” career, holding a number of degrees: a Bachelors in Business Management, a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in International Management, a Masters of Public Administration in Government Programs Management, a MBA in Financial Management, and a Masters of Arts in Organizational Management. And, he’s working on his PhD. As well, he’s a manager, consultant, and instructor.
Shelton said that he started to keep a journal when he was nine years old, and that he continues to do so today. “It was an awkward time—I didn’t feel like I fit in; (I) was dealing with self-acceptance, insecurities, and just general ‘life stuff’ for a black man growing up in the South.”
He continued, “ (I was) loved deeply, but (was) kind of feeling swallowed up in a huge family dynamic and on a social ladder that I didn’t really feel comfortable on-- and that I wouldn’t really appreciate fully until later in my life. That began a journey of exploration, of finding meaning, of looking for connections--and therefore my quest to write and love it.”
When asked if he prefers poetry to other genres, Shelton responded, “I love poetry, probably my first love, but I write short stories, prose, and I’m even working on a novel that will be out around the first of next year. Poetry was my first exposure, not just to writing, but reading, so I’ve always had a special connection with it; but I’ve found that through this journey of exploration, of finding meaning, of looking for connections, that quite often the words and what flows through, take me to a place where it is often less creatively constructed and even more descriptive.”
He added, “Even then though, there is often a poetic quality to it, I think. Poetry is like music to me that flows in and out of my head, heart, life, challenges, etc…and well, you know what they say about first loves. LOL.”
The author described his writing processes. “I actually have a couple. For one, I have a journal nearby, usually wherever I go. A lot of the inspiration I get for writing just comes from life: watching, waiting, observing, and sometimes interacting.
“Sometimes it just flows through; and other times, I create what I like to call ‘quiet space’ in my life and world, late night usually--some music, cut off the phones, get away from the computer, light some candles, take a bath and just let my mind wander. I usually write down what comes out, and then I attempt to put it into some type of perspective—taking the journal entries or the inspiration and typing them into the computer. And sometimes I’m naked doing that—but not always the case. LOL.”
What inspired Shelton to form Tugson Press, his publishing company? “Tugson Press was created because after reading, writing, and searching for opportunities for writers out there and struggling through the good and bad of it all, I wanted to create my own safe space to express myself—unchallenged, unedited, and sometimes even not confined by what is, is not, or could be good work that people connect to.”
Shelton believed that he had the business expertise to accomplish his goal. And with the support of some family and friends, he did just that. He added, “I wanted to create a community of untapped and undiscovered artists who would hopefully create their own community of supporters, but connect with them through their differences and familiarity—engaging in the process of changing minds, but also making a difference in society, by what you say, do, and by supporting causes that you believe in.”
Shelton’s Rhythms is a remarkable, impressive work, with “dat” distinct urban feel. Its words, phrases and sentence structure all have movement—they throb, they pulsate, they sway, they dance. Tasty, tantalizing, and eclectic, this collection of poetry, at times, gives one the sense of déjà vu. (Awww…. this writer can hear Dionne Warwick crooning her pop hit, “Déjà vu,” in the recesses of his mind.)
By no means is Rhythms simply “reading candy.” Au contraire. It is substantive and thought provoking. This writer has to say that although the majority of the volume is readily accessible, some of its selections take just a little bit of time to figure out and “get used to,” which make you go “Hmmmm.” And then, “Yo. Now I got it.”
But, it’s all good because Rhythms engages the mind. This collection is both cerebral and earthy. Shelton is a unique voice.
This outstanding tome is divided into four sections: Of Life, Of Lust, Of Love, and Of Loss. Some of my favorite selections include: “Spirits of Fire,” which references African-American luminaries of the arts including Mr. Essex Hemphill, one of the genuine pioneers of modern Black gay lit (Essex was a close friend and colleague of this writer. Though he left this world far too quickly, Hemphill’s enormous impact is still felt.); the very contemporary “Sound Bites,” which makes you question what’s really important in our lives; and the introspective “No Man Walks Alone,” which offers up that perception pretty much is reality.
Shelton discussed what’s next for Tugson. “In September, my second book, Soul-full (the second collection of poetry) will drop, as will a coffee table piece that is both comical and serious called MBG—Men Who are Black and Happen to be Gay. It’s just a funny look at the all too-common perceptions, stereotypes, and hidden rules of one aspect of Black gay culture. Shortly after that, Deliberate Ramblings, a third edition of poetry, and Deep Breaths will drop. Early next year, my first full-length novel, Ozkah drops. And, we have three great writers--Kwame Banks, Mark Fikes and Aaron Shelton, my baby brother--working on pieces to be released over the next year. So, it is an exciting time for Tugson.”
That’s part of author Leo Shelton’s response to the question of, “what’s your perspective regarding the state of Black gay lit?” Mr. Shelton is the founder of Tugson Press, which has just released Rhythms, his new book of poetry. Rhythms truly is a gourmet meal for the poetry connoisseur.
Shelton added, “The state of gay black literature is stronger, and more varied and braver than ever. But it has to keep growing: not through what is commercially viable necessarily, but through what is good and truthful--and even sometimes nasty-- but still noteworthy.”
Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, the author/publisher is the middle child of a Catholic family of five boys. During the last four of his nearly 11 years in the Navy, he was stationed in the metropolitan Washington area. Subsequently, he made D.C. his home.
Shelton certainly has had a “busy” career, holding a number of degrees: a Bachelors in Business Management, a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in International Management, a Masters of Public Administration in Government Programs Management, a MBA in Financial Management, and a Masters of Arts in Organizational Management. And, he’s working on his PhD. As well, he’s a manager, consultant, and instructor.
Shelton said that he started to keep a journal when he was nine years old, and that he continues to do so today. “It was an awkward time—I didn’t feel like I fit in; (I) was dealing with self-acceptance, insecurities, and just general ‘life stuff’ for a black man growing up in the South.”
He continued, “ (I was) loved deeply, but (was) kind of feeling swallowed up in a huge family dynamic and on a social ladder that I didn’t really feel comfortable on-- and that I wouldn’t really appreciate fully until later in my life. That began a journey of exploration, of finding meaning, of looking for connections--and therefore my quest to write and love it.”
When asked if he prefers poetry to other genres, Shelton responded, “I love poetry, probably my first love, but I write short stories, prose, and I’m even working on a novel that will be out around the first of next year. Poetry was my first exposure, not just to writing, but reading, so I’ve always had a special connection with it; but I’ve found that through this journey of exploration, of finding meaning, of looking for connections, that quite often the words and what flows through, take me to a place where it is often less creatively constructed and even more descriptive.”
He added, “Even then though, there is often a poetic quality to it, I think. Poetry is like music to me that flows in and out of my head, heart, life, challenges, etc…and well, you know what they say about first loves. LOL.”
The author described his writing processes. “I actually have a couple. For one, I have a journal nearby, usually wherever I go. A lot of the inspiration I get for writing just comes from life: watching, waiting, observing, and sometimes interacting.
“Sometimes it just flows through; and other times, I create what I like to call ‘quiet space’ in my life and world, late night usually--some music, cut off the phones, get away from the computer, light some candles, take a bath and just let my mind wander. I usually write down what comes out, and then I attempt to put it into some type of perspective—taking the journal entries or the inspiration and typing them into the computer. And sometimes I’m naked doing that—but not always the case. LOL.”
What inspired Shelton to form Tugson Press, his publishing company? “Tugson Press was created because after reading, writing, and searching for opportunities for writers out there and struggling through the good and bad of it all, I wanted to create my own safe space to express myself—unchallenged, unedited, and sometimes even not confined by what is, is not, or could be good work that people connect to.”
Shelton believed that he had the business expertise to accomplish his goal. And with the support of some family and friends, he did just that. He added, “I wanted to create a community of untapped and undiscovered artists who would hopefully create their own community of supporters, but connect with them through their differences and familiarity—engaging in the process of changing minds, but also making a difference in society, by what you say, do, and by supporting causes that you believe in.”
Shelton’s Rhythms is a remarkable, impressive work, with “dat” distinct urban feel. Its words, phrases and sentence structure all have movement—they throb, they pulsate, they sway, they dance. Tasty, tantalizing, and eclectic, this collection of poetry, at times, gives one the sense of déjà vu. (Awww…. this writer can hear Dionne Warwick crooning her pop hit, “Déjà vu,” in the recesses of his mind.)
By no means is Rhythms simply “reading candy.” Au contraire. It is substantive and thought provoking. This writer has to say that although the majority of the volume is readily accessible, some of its selections take just a little bit of time to figure out and “get used to,” which make you go “Hmmmm.” And then, “Yo. Now I got it.”
But, it’s all good because Rhythms engages the mind. This collection is both cerebral and earthy. Shelton is a unique voice.
This outstanding tome is divided into four sections: Of Life, Of Lust, Of Love, and Of Loss. Some of my favorite selections include: “Spirits of Fire,” which references African-American luminaries of the arts including Mr. Essex Hemphill, one of the genuine pioneers of modern Black gay lit (Essex was a close friend and colleague of this writer. Though he left this world far too quickly, Hemphill’s enormous impact is still felt.); the very contemporary “Sound Bites,” which makes you question what’s really important in our lives; and the introspective “No Man Walks Alone,” which offers up that perception pretty much is reality.
Shelton discussed what’s next for Tugson. “In September, my second book, Soul-full (the second collection of poetry) will drop, as will a coffee table piece that is both comical and serious called MBG—Men Who are Black and Happen to be Gay. It’s just a funny look at the all too-common perceptions, stereotypes, and hidden rules of one aspect of Black gay culture. Shortly after that, Deliberate Ramblings, a third edition of poetry, and Deep Breaths will drop. Early next year, my first full-length novel, Ozkah drops. And, we have three great writers--Kwame Banks, Mark Fikes and Aaron Shelton, my baby brother--working on pieces to be released over the next year. So, it is an exciting time for Tugson.”
