Introduction by Michael D. Grover
On the Poetry of Chenelle Milford
I met Chenelle a couple of weeks ago when she started replying to my blogs on myspace. We messaged each other, and I suggested she submit to the journal that I co-edit. When I got her stuff I was blown away by it. By the reality, the harshness, the no pussy footing around about it. In a world today where so much literature is so weak, safe, and watered down this was refreshing.
Since that time we have kept in touch, and I have to say it is an honor to call Chenelle a friend. Chenelle Milford found poetry the hard way, by starting in the heart of poetry San Francisco, and working her way and finding her voice where you would least suspect someone to find it, somewhere in rural Georgia.
Upon reading the entire manuscript I am more of a believer. Chenelle Milford's poetry hits hard. She is a veteran of this war that would be her life, and she is a survivor. Her tattoos and scars are like war medals. Chenelle has landed where she has, to tell her story and this is it. In a world where female poets and feminine issues so often get overlooked this is important literature.
With that said I am all about letting the words speak for themselves, and Chenelle's words definitely do. In these years of poetry I have been privileged to know the talented people that I know, and I can definitely add Chenelle to that list. This poetry is not about flowers and puppy dogs, it is not for the weak. Now with no further words of my own I leave you with Constellations and Contractures. I'm sure you will enjoy.
Michael D. Grover
4/27/09
Toledo, Ohio