BLACKED comprises Roman’s first conceptual poetry collection. It is thematically designed in a series of four sectional sequences that follow a young, native, boy on his journey. The entire collection is written as a narrative poem with each of the 38 poems written as an account of the central character’s journey. The journey is physical in form, but spiritual in nature, and the adventure … incorporates elements of the boy’s geographical progress with Swahili and Arabic language elements. You’ll note that the four sections are written in Swahili, translated to city, desert, savanna, and jungle. As the boy moves through the sequences of the tale he undergoes a recombinant transformation of essence and spirit, ultimately descending into a jungle of darkness which casts a physical manifestation of the torment and internal travesty he holds within.
With a slew of nods to classic literary works, from The Iliad’s Odyssey to Catch-22, this work is the most dense and thoughtful project Roman has undertaken to this point. The authentic motifs in language and culture create an immersive experience that takes you inside the boy’s spiritual and psychological metamorphosis, joining the reader with the young boy on his pilgrimage.
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Blacked is another of Roman Newell’s fine works. One that hit particularly close to home. Some will read this and see themselves walking behind if not beside the young boy, I found that there were many times throughout the story I walked in the same shoes.
The Journey of the young boy and all his struggles I believe were Romans own, and we are privileged enough to go along on their journey. Roman did a wonderful job telling this story through the young boy.
When dealing with ones past we struggle. We find that it is not that simple to stay true to ourselves. Our journey’s are all different in so many different ways. We as individuals have decided which forks to take in which roads. We all take separate journey’s to get to the places we are at now. This is Romans…
Roman, thank you sir for a wonderful story through magnificent poetry! I found that in so many spots throughout this, instead of seeing young through the young boy, I very easily could have been looking in the mirror. What you have done here is truly amazing, and left me awestruck! As always, I highly recommend!
Amazing book by a talented author.. This is not just a book of poetry is a narrative book of poetry that takes you on a journey of a little boy… To pull follow this journey without wanting to put the book down.. I loved it.. It got you in all the feels and it’s one book y’all will wanna check out …you won’t be disappointed whenever you do
New Age Poetry – A must Read
Roman Newell takes poetry to a new level as his writing takes you on a journey through the eyes of small boy. This is unlike any poetry I’ve read. At times, I found myself on the edge of my seat barely breathing as the boy ventured through this journey with such astonishing strength.
I was drawn to the dedication for Blacked. What was it that the little boy had to fight so hard? I began the journey alongside the boy, wanting to protect him. Gradually I realized , he had much to teach me, if only I would open myself to the lessons he presented.
To be on this journey was a rare gift, one of intense struggle of which most cannot imagine. Those that have lived such an incredibly difficult journey, many times push it down where it festers and explodes. Roman’s use of the boy’s journey to express his own stuggles took me on a deeply insightful and spiritual journey.
I became so deeply in tune with the boy’s journey; I couldn’t stop thinking about him. This work was so powerful I read and reread it, savoring it and walking with the boy. I heard and felt the beating of the boy’s heart.
I’m walking with the boy. He wakes me up at night, and speaks to me with deep black eyes full of need for connection for his native roots to bring him back to the soft light. No glaring light…he seeks soft warm light. An open hearted woman of truth and understanding takes him into her heart. Patiently she allows him to seek his roots and find peace. She allows him to teach her of what he has learned and lived.
This is a great piece of work. I am intensely affected by it. Blacked is the crescendo of Roman’s previous work; a symphony of raw gut-punching realizations leading to spiritual growth.
TIME TO FACE YOUR RECKONING…
The unknown journey that we face is risk and gamble. It paths twisting and unwinding with each step taken. Steps that can be a meandering of slow discovery, other times, full out momentum to outrace what we have caged within.
What happens, when a poet pushes against restrictions and boundaries? To risk it all, to set no limits… DARE TO DREAM?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
BLACKED is what happens. Roman Newell has accomplished so much inside of BLACKED.
BLACKED starts you at the beginning of a scene, almost like the poetry was gifted into the hands of a scriptwriter to wield magic. You are instantaneously set on your own spirit/vision quest alongside the young boy and his author. Blacked takes you through a myriad of twists and turns until its conclusion — its end of scene.
Embark on this journey, as you outrace the darkness contained within. A spiralling through one’s hellish nightmares, stumbling blocks, that threaten to tempt and prevail. BLACKED sweeps you up in a visual feast, through the lens of a young native boy as he struggles to find belonging, as he ventures through personal trials and tribulations, his spiritual awakening, to make peace, searching for the dovetail in his fabric of life.
“I write to discover, I write to uncover. I write to meet my ghosts. I write to begin dialogue”
~ Terry Tempest Williams
Roman Newell has gifted readers, an impeccably crafted poetic | narrative with BLACKED. It’s engaging, a dark suspense of intensity that uncovers and unravels. Words that splinter, that cut with fine precision, to the very heart of internal/external struggle. Real, yet often times, the metaphoric words/imagery provoke an abstract, surrealistic experience, soaking you in a minefield of emotional turmoil that leaves you wondering if there is enough left inside to protect innocence against the insidious struggles that lurk deep, if they can be conquered.
BLACKED moves you from one extreme to another, across the real / surreal structures of internal /external cultural locales, over time, past and present. Where age, time, and location is not finite. Words that are woven in rich visual imagery and compelling word play, they hum across inked pages and chanted drumbeat to the end. It’s alive and fluid, much like blood flowing through the veins, it’s richness “a vessel that sweeps across life’s canvas” creating mood and tone as each scene is traversed.
Poem: XVII
“and we are on hands and knees encouraging embers to become flame holding tinder like a runaway child,”
~ Roman Newell
BLACKED will not be an easy read, especially for those unfamiliar with Roman’s poetry. Its mood is sombre and heavy for the most part. BLACKED is not meant to be easy an easy read. It’s going to require your utmost attention to its detailing. Time to continually digest each poem, in considered thoughtfulness. The entirety and its underlying message.
Poetry that evokes and provokes you to pause and consider. Poetry that will make the heart feel weary, your mind weighted in despair until sorrow is cleansed and you find warmth and rest. To recognise within the darkness, the need to protect with all you have, that inner glimpse of innocence, determination, and perseverance. To continue finding hope, light, and home. When your hope is just a spark, blow gentle the embers, ignite the flame, nurture the burn. Not too engulf but to wrap yourself in its comforting warmth and peacefulness. Hearts journey home. Sanctuary.
“Sanctuary, bring me sanctuary, bring me rest, one more step, pace the legs, another, another…”
~ Roman Newell
Authoritative! This is Roman Newell’s definitive mark on contemporary poetry. Visually engaging with lush description, textual detail, and flow. A recommended read, that not only leaves you questioning your own path through life it will be poetry that engages people in healthy discourse on subjects that can be deemed controversial.
This young native boys journey has much insight and lessons to be obtained. It’s not just the boys journey, it’s not just the authors journey… BLACKED becomes YOUR journey. Take your time, thoroughly sit with the words, absorb them, to seek your own clarity and purpose through the lens of a young native boy and its author.
Roman Newell… thank you for gifting your poetry to the world. Its poetry that will engage people in discourse. Never stop exploring, nor pushing boundaries with your poetry and stories