Marrow: Poems

The largest mass loss of American lives before September 11, 2001, was the murder-suicide at the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, known as Jonestown, in Guyana in 1978. This event is largely absent from American history, but Darlene Anita Scott's poetry collection Marrow honors the people who perished and gives voice to those who have been overlooked. The poems are distinct, haunting, and unforgettable, cutting to the bone while also acknowledging and giving tribute to those who died.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 88 pages
Publication date: 08 March 2022
Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky

Grape, the sweetest betrayal, leaves an indelible stain on the hearts of moms everywhere. It is a temptation that even the most discerning children cannot resist, as loyal to its sugar as any. On November 18, 1978, a tragic event unfolded at the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, also known as Jonestown, in Guyana. Over 900 members, including children, were found dead, the victims of a murder-suicide orchestrated by cult leader James Jim Jones. This massacre, which claimed the lives of the largest number of Americans before September 11, 2001, is often overlooked in American history. When the mass suicides are remembered, it is often in a comical or cautionary manner, with the infamous phrase "Don't drink the Kool-Aid" associated with those who died by drinking or being injected with grape-flavored Flavor-Aid.

However, much has been documented about this tragic day, but little is written about the individuals and their lived experiences. In her profound and provocative poetry collection, Darlene Anita Scott seeks to rectify the disremembrance and honor the people who perished. She elevates and gives voice to the children, teenagers, and adults whose hopes, dreams, and lives were just as hopeful and mundane as any others, yet have been overlooked and overshadowed by the other focuses of history. The distinct, haunting, and unforgettable poems in Marrow cut to the bone while also acknowledging and giving tribute to those who died on that fateful day.

The children, who were among the most vulnerable victims of the massacre, are given a voice in these poems. They are portrayed as innocent and curious, with their hopes and dreams intertwined with the promises of a better life promised by the cult. Scott's poetry captures the essence of their experiences, from the excitement of new beginnings to the fear and confusion that followed the tragic events.

Teenagers and adults are also represented in the collection, their lives and experiences intertwined with those of the children. They are portrayed as individuals with their own hopes, dreams, and struggles, their lives just as complex and multifaceted as any others. Scott's poetry gives them a platform to share their stories, to be heard and remembered.

The poems in Marrow are a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. They acknowledge the pain and loss experienced by those who died, but also celebrate the lives that were lived. They remind us of the importance of remembering and honoring the individuals who have been forgotten by history, of recognizing the complexities and nuances of their lives and experiences.

In conclusion, Grape is the sweetest betrayal, leaving an indelible stain on the hearts of moms everywhere. It is a temptation that even the most discerning children cannot resist, as loyal to its sugar as any. The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, Jonestown, massacre is a tragic event that is often overlooked in American history. However, in Darlene Anita Scott's profound and provocative poetry collection, Marrow, the lives and experiences of the individuals who perished are brought to life. Through her poetry, we are given a glimpse into the hopes, dreams, and lives of the children, teenagers, and adults who were killed, and we are reminded of the resilience and strength of the human spirit. This collection is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring the forgotten, of recognizing the complexities and nuances of human lives and experiences.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813183626