When the Muse Speaks


Poetry - General
103 Pages
Reviewed on 07/03/2023
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Author Biography

In this book the Muse seeks to be heard; and I was merely the vessel. Poetry has always helped me make sense of this world and the human experiences we all have. The voices of the Muse in this collection spoke to me across topics from love & infidelity to race relations so I wanted to honor each theme by creating 4 "voices" or sections in my book. As you read and the Muse speaks to you, listen with your heart not your head.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite

When the Muse Speaks is a collection of thought-provoking poems by Kiana Donae. The book is divided into four parts. The first is Voices of Pride, poems about the oppression of black people and their fight for justice and what they deserve. The second section is Voices in Bliss, and these poems are about love, passion, emotional and soul bonds, care, healing, and marriage. These poems are followed by Voices in the Ether, which are about death, living in the moment, dreams, ambitions, and self-love. The last is Voices of Discord and Betrayal. These poems tell a story of infidelity, being in a toxic relationship, and staying because of the fear of being alone. The couple eventually breaks up, leading to alcoholism and depression, but later, healing and closure.

I enjoyed reading When the Muse Speaks because it is one of the most organized books of poetry I have ever read. The format and beautiful designs made it visually appealing. The messages are loud and clear. Each section had a specific theme, making you feel as if four people wrote the book. This showed Kiana Donae’s creativity and ability to evoke different emotions. She effortlessly moved from one section to the next and took me on a roller coaster of emotions. The author infused her work with so much passion that I did not want the book to end. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves poems that stir the heart and make you reflect on life and our society.