credit: Craig Bailey, Perspective Photo
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"This is a brave and beautiful book by a brave and beautiful man. Philip Robinson has created poems over a period of years that span all aspects of his life: as a man who loves men, a school counselor, and a deeply committed volunteer of twenty-seven years at Boston's AIDS Action Committee, where he assists in the planning of the annual Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast, honoring the social activist who worked with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Philip's poems capture moments and events with a sharp eye to image and feeling: From Awakened, "I woke up with the urge to write and found blood on the floor. / The cold bottoms of my feet met the moisture and my heart skipped a beat." And from The Call, "I have cried a thousand tears on sleeves and borrowed tissues. / I cannot say my soul is cleansed." While much of his material is about life and death, Philip clearly lands on the side of life, and his energy and life force permeate his work. We Still Leave A Legacy would be a wonderful addition to your poetry library. --Michael H. Ward, author of The Sea Is Quiet Tonight: A Memoir
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"Philip Robinson shares his profound and timeless insights in this new edition of his prose and poetry. From the the poem that lends its title to the book. "...To bury one's dreams is to let go of life. Our larger mission is to complete tasks that have been left incomplete. Our greatest weapon against fear will be the collective intelligence and love willed to us through our higher power..." Indeed. Treat yourself to this keenly written collection." --Craig Bailey
"Wonderfully embracing read the first time, the second, the third, over and over again. Each poem is a story that touches us deeply and Philip knows how to reach inside of us and draw out our ability to feel. Most of all, Philip has used his poetry to teach us how to love, to forgive and to heal ourselves. Thank you Philip! You are such a blessing." |
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"This is an amazing and moving book of poems written with clarity, strong emotions, and grace. it made me cry and laugh, smile and nod. Each poem tells a powerful story. Each poem a gem. Some fiction readers shy away from reading poetry. "I like women's fiction." Some readers only like to read non-fiction. This book will satisfy all. It is storytelling at its best. It is also a book about truths in today's world." --Karen E. Osborne, author of Getting It Right
credit: Craig Bailey, Perspective Photo
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"Massachusetts author/poet Philip Robinson began to write We Still Leave a Legacy twenty-eight years ago as a volunteer working at AIDS Action Committee (AAC) of Massachusetts. He became the Chair of AAC's Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast Committee, driven to praise the work of others who had gone on before him. He was determined to live by the mantra, 'We stand on their shoulders'... In this poetry book, Philip attempts to capture his own sense of hope, determination and remembrance. He wants people to not only hear his voice, but desperately never forget those voices of people that make Legacy possible.... The gentle poetry that flows from these pages provides succor and hope for all of us who have suffered the loss of loved ones. And few can distill those aches better than Philip Robinson. Stunningly beautiful." --Grady Harp, Amazon Top Reviewer |
"Few literary tomes open with such heart-quickening words as “I woke up with the urge to write and found blood on the floor.” Some of the compelling, unforgettable poems in Phillip Robinson's collection, We Still Leave A Legacy, will make your heart break; others will make it sing, but all reflect Robinson’s unmitigated willingness to get involved with the lives of his family, friends, and students, whether the situation be tragic or joyful." --Betty Kearse, author of The Other Madisons: An American Griotte's Quest
"This collection of work is one of the most profound I have ever read. The stories are heartwarming and enlightening. They touch every fiber of our humanity. I have enjoyed this body of work to the fullest." --Jan Glover