American Authors Association Book Review

Good Mornin' Glory

Author:  Terry A. O’Neal

Publisher:  Motion Publishing

Reviewer: W. H. McDonald – AAA President

“Good Mornin’ Glory” – Poetry Book

Local author and poet Terry A. O’Neal who has been listed on “The Top One 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature” and is now being called a “Literary Diva” has a new book of poetry out. Terry, who is originally from Stockton but has adopted Elk Grove as her home, has given her words another wonderful journey in her book “Good Mornin’ Glory.” It is one the finest collections of poems and reminds you of a younger Maya Angelou’s work.

Most of her poems show her universal spiritual acceptance of all as a part of herself and is best reflected in one of her poems titled “my sister.” Here are a few lines from it:

love your sister as you love yourself—

every shade—white, beige, brown, orange, or black

love

we all lack

I am still your sister

short of blood relation

whether you like it or not—

Her poems may speak most clearly to the soul of African American women but the spirit of her words and prose cuts much deeper and connects with all hearts. Her poetry becomes inclusive and does not exclude others but bridges their energy of sisterhood and oneness. Her poetry really needs to be read aloud and shared to experience the full impact of their emotions.

This is her crowning collection of poetry to date. It is a small book of less than 50 pages but it speaks as a much larger volume of love. This would make a great gift to any woman in your life. I enjoyed it and found all that female energy in her poetry makes for one inspiring reading experience even for an old guy like me. This is a FIVE STAR book!