Product Description
Relationship Related and Other Poetry is an example of what can happen artistically when the serious academic study of an art form becomes wedded to street wisdom and cultural maturity. As a poet, Ashe exhibits evidence of being experienced in poetic forms as widely variant as Haiku and Villanelle with suggestions of whatever there is that might be included in between. At the same time, though, that we experience his tendency toward classic meter and rhythm we are moved by the way that he unaffectedly revels in reality while simultaneously taking us on a journey into the fantastic. This is poetry that is political, yet personal enough to allow the reader an avenue by which to connect to the subject matter. This is truly poetry that is related to relationships in every sense that those words convey. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

These are very highly recommended and intellectually stimulating free verse compositions
Arranged in five parts, with each segment unfolding to reveal the constant yet changeable essence of relationships, the poetry of Anthony B. Ashe as compiled in "Relationship Related And Other Poetry" is contemporary in their themes and universal in their appeal. These are very highly recommended and intellectually stimulating free verse compositions that deftly utilize metaphor, simile and symbolism to reveal complex elements of human kinship. 'Kiss Me Now': succulent lips/or forever hold your piece//keep the measurement and directions/we're not trading recipes//cook with raw/unadulterated skin on skin//;when we scream/when we moan/when we writhe and grind//are you giving all to me?/does that make you mine?

Talented author!
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (6/07)

Anthony Ashe offers a unique poetic look at relationships.One part of the book speaks to physical relationships.It is obvious he has experienced a deep love for someone.His words speak of missing a loved one's touch, and of lips meeting for a tender kiss. He speaks of being comfortable in one's presence "like flannel bathrobes."He tells how the touch of a lover is a gift to be cherished.

"Was It You" is like looking in a mirror and wondering who that person is.As we age, our appearance changes but sometimes we forget that now our hair is gray and our waistline is different.We look at others and wonder why they are changing but we don't always look at ourselves.

"Friday, In the Crowd at The Nuyorican Poet's Café" is a delightfully sensuous poem hinting at the thoughts a lover has for their mate.I will share this one.

Ashe uses his poetry to reflect upon days gone by.He poetically tells of the nightmare of slavery, the result of living in poverty and the damage of alcoholism.

The words of talented author Anthony B. Ashe flow off the page like a brook of water streaming over moss covered rocks.The cover of "Relationship Related and Other Poetry" is exquisite!A man with his wife posing for a photograph, his arm gently draped over her shoulder as if to show how much he loves her and is proud she is his.The smile on his face says it all.The words Ashe used to describe relationships also say it all.He uses words to create a picture of people in love.I could relate several of the poems to my own relationships."Musings" was one of my favorites.I recommend "Relationship Related and Other Poetry" to fans of poetry.

Reviewed by Michelle Boucher-Ladd
Someone once told me that writing good poetry is the same as dancing well; all rhythm and steps placed effortlessly, words gliding images across a page. I have never seen Anthony B. Ashe dance but after reading his book Relationship Related and Other Poetry I know he must cut a rug till it's threadbare.

True to its title Ashe's poems are interconnected by the theme of relationships. They are grouped by romantic involvement and also by a more spiritual association. Part One is full of lips and hips and jazz wrapped up in summer sunset beaches and chocolate covered metaphors. These poems are sultry but in no way cliché and are not retailed, as Ashe puts it in his last line of the book, when he writes, "we pimp our verse for valentines." These are poems with form, where you can become lost in the space of rhythm. They are smart with a subtle humor. I love the poem My Metaphors and I are Mixed in your Presence. It flaunts wit with lines like "I'll refrain from trite verbosity / and acceptable lyrical latitude / in avoidance / of tending toward the obtuse." Other poems are more sensual. I loved Friday, In the Crowd at The Nuyorican Poet's Café. It is full "of things that would make you blush" and is the kind of poem you could read across a pillow. It is lovely in all the right places.

The second part of Relationship Related is a collection of poems that are more political and also more somber. These are poems that reflect upon the past and are haunted by themes of slavery, poverty, and alcoholism. Though their subject is darker than the first collection these poems are not bitter and have great zeal. Ashe's sense of style in the poem Blackstone gives power and depth to a subject that could otherwise be made prosaic. The first and last stanzas really hooks the reader "Stone cold / Like black rock / Like black stone / Like Blackstone, Virginia" and "Just cold / Like cold rock or / Black stone in / Red Clay in / Blackstone, Virginia."

Ashe's collection of poetry has me relating images and experiences of my own to the subjects of his written muse. I find we have a relationship related. This is by far one of the best collections of poetry I have read in a long while. Ashe's writing is studied and complex. I find myself rereading and still pondering much of it. If you are thirsty for poems Relationship Related and Other Poems is a fine wine, so don`t gulp!

A Worthy Poet who isn't afraid to be Himself
There is this great perception masking itself under the catch phrase "universal" and some warped idea of political correctness causing a number of black writers(or any writer of color)to bury their cultural identity and in many cases their politics for larger success in the literary world.In the process, many have become what Langston Hughes termed "lily ponds," art by black writers which evades any kind of social context to imitate so-called mainstream standards devoid or divorced from the slightest hint of cultural identity.Anthony Ashe, happily to report, doesn't fall into this class of writers.As the back cover of RELATIONSHIP RELATED AND OTHER POETRY suggests, Ashe exhibits styles called Haiku and Villanelle, but the difference is he makes them his own without giving up his identity as oneproud to be black and and proudly political.

Ashe's book of poetry is divided up into two parts, Relationships Related I and Relationships Related II.The first half of the book pretty much concerns interpersonal relationships with black women who Ashe reveals a great deal of respect, admiration, and love towards, apolitical stance itself today.Hughes has been described as the first and only black male feminist for his platonic attitudes of respect and admirationtowardblack woman in his entire body of work .If the first portion of this book is any indication, the resolutely and enthusiastically straight Ashe will soon join Hughes in this honor. One of the many standout poems in this section is "Romancing and Alone" which those concerned with the universal element can admire because it speaks to everyone regardless. Reading many of the poems here, the immediate sense is how great they would sound spoken aloud. Poems like "Flavah or," "Big Sistah Thighs," or Ode to Youthful Romance on the Upper West Side Prior to Gentrification.", all of them honestly.

Relationships Related II is perhaps most political and strongest part of the book.Here, it is pretty difficult to choose one particular poem to highlight."Writing Block (prior to September 25, 1985)," "Mobility Justification," and "Postcard Ruminations" are reads not to be missed.All the reads in part 2 are not to be missed.

Overall, the best thing about Relationships Related and Other Poetry is the readability of the work.It doesn't pretend to be above the head of anyone, but is accessible to everyone.Anthony Ashe should be proud of himself.

Prolific poetry
Anthony Ashe is regarded as an experienced poet who possesses a range and poetic forms as variant as Haiku and Villanelle, and at times everything in between. The poems are enticing and the delivery is acute.

From the succulent musing appropriately titled 'Musings', he shares the soothing, enticing cocoon that elevates a contented heart even when doing a task as mundane as laundry. 'Romancing and Alone' takes readers in another direction, into the depths of a lonely heart yearning for deliverance. 'My Metaphors and I are Mixed in Your Presence' is a Pandora's Box for lovers of metaphoric verbosity; it will tickle the intellect. These are mere tips of the iceberg as Ashe launches his thoughts.

RELATIONSHIP RELATED AND OTHER POETRY is richly political, but candid enough to connect the reader to the subject. Ashe successfully lends his flair for combining the serious academic study of one art form with street and cultural maturity. His tendency toward classic meter and rhythm are inspired by how he revels in reality that he camouflages with the feel of something fantastic. This is poetry that draws its life from the aura of relationships. If you are in a relationship or simply longing for one, RELATIONSHIP RELATED AND OTHER POETRY is something worth experiencing.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers ... Read more