Bones of the Homeless Book

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                                   Reviews 

         

Many times, I have published a Judy Jones poem
on the front page of Street Spirit as a testimony
that her poems help reveal the realities of homelessness
at a depth surpassing many of our news articles
on the same subject.

The eloquence of Judy's poetry and firey
intensity of her lyrical and emotional outcry
for kindness and justice have moved thousands of readers.

Her book can help uplift our vision so we may truly
see the humanity and sacred souls of those our
society has condemned, neglected and cast
into the oblivion of poverty."

                                     Terry Messman
                               Editor Street Spirit


Poetry.  Various urgent, lively, and sometimes haunting
poems appear here alongside stark black and white
photos of Jones' homeless subjects.  Jones takes
on the plight of the homeless in different voices,
echoing the thoughts of people on the streets,
unfeeling passerby, and compassionate observers.
Terry Messman, editor of Street Spirit writes:
"Her poems speak directly to the souls of the readers
and appeal to our hearts for a rebirth of compassion,
justice, and love towards the poorest of our
brothers and sisters."
                                        Small Press Distributors
                                            
                                                                                

                         
'Bones of the Homeless" is among the most
powerful poems heard at my eclectic Berkeley
Whole Note Series.  When Judy performed
'Ode to Janis Joplin', it brought the veteran
poets to their knees.  Judy is inspired by
spiritual beliefs that defy the usual
church syndromes."
                 Dorothy Jesse Beagle

                 playwright, pianist, poet, songwriter, author



How long we have needed this voice, crying
in the wilderness!  How deeply the distinctly
meaningful prose etches its way into one's
heart.  Have we forgotten?  No!  Nevermore.
For now we can remember the words of the
poet Judy Jones, in her magnificent book;
BONES OF THE HOMELESS, how it FEELS
to live and die in the despair of
homelessness. 
                                 Ynez Reyes
                                  Editor/Writer/Composer
                                  Maui, Hawaii



These poems challenge conventional sterotypes
concerning the homeless, and believe me,
these sterotypes seriously require challenging
in our self-centered culture of intolerance
against the poor and disenfranchised.
                                      Cynthia Bage
                                      Poet and Songwriter

      
 

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