THE SAILORS REVIEW: ISSUE #60

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By now you probably know that Issue #60 of The Sailors Review (TSR) is available for your perusal. Not to give too much away, but I found the following elements enriching:

Brenardo & Sistah Joy Alford,

Inaugural Poet Laureate of

Prince Georges County, Maryland

A poet who frequents a few of the online venues I’ve attended, Brenardo’s (AKA Andre’ B. Taylor)  poem (p.33) echoes my dismal perspective of our current societal state:

“Where is there

A Place To Go

Where Madness Does Not Rule

Where Is There

A Respite From Parrots, Lizards, Fools”

Sadie Schaecher
in The Sailors Review

And yet, youthful wisdom can offer a foil for dismal views, and the wisdom of the young can be found in DrThembieTanya’s (Dr. Sithembeni Tanya Madziwa) interview of 16-year-old Sadie Schaecher (p. 37) who talks about her triumph in a slam with adults she looked up to:
“Speak slowly. Define evert word. Believe in what you are saying, and as you speak, give the audience time to hear and believe in the words too.

Dr. Sithembeni Tanya Madziwa

…I find that the best thing to compliment powerful words is a powerful silence.”

And in discussing another of her poems Sadie notes:
“…it showed what it’s like to fall in love with your illness.” 

Some remarkable insight for one so young is how I read it. 

Shorai Matambanadzo

Is any of us unfamiliar with the fear of failure? Martin Chivaku brought us wise words from Shorai Matambanadzo (AKA Shogo Wa Agogo, p.51). The mixed media artist offers:
“..the most important tip I could give any upcoming artist is to…accept failure when it occurs and be able to overcome the fear of failing. Each failed experience can be accompanied by powerful knowledge, extraordinary growth and make you a much better artist in the long run.” 

Frank Nyamundero (p.82) author and Frankinspire podcast host, also touched on the theme of dealing with failure.

One of the benefits of reading TSR is that it provides cultural perspectives that can expand our horizons…if we are interested in such a thing. The poem, Sweeet Sixteen Is No More (yes, the 3 e's are intentional) by Towandah Ryan (Brian Manyati), and his analysis of the piece, as presented by Tatenda Murangi, address cultural events in Zimbabwe. In particular, it casts an eye on a shift in how women and girls are perceived in law, as decreed by the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe ruling on May 24, 2022.

Finally, I don’t know if it would be considered flash fiction or a short story, but Rutendo Sawala's The Revelation, The Truth (p.76) is another piece that provides cultural insight and addresses the plight of girls and women. It also takes a brief gander at the concept of truth.

If you get the chance, check out the most recent version of The Sailors Review by VaChikepe and the 100 Sailors.