Review: No Sweet Without Brine: Poems – Cynthia Manick

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Cynthia Manick’s poetry collection personifies love of self and culture through fresh observations and bitter truths voiced with breathtaking lyricism.

No Sweet Without Brine is both a soulful and celebratory collection that summons sticky sweet memories with an acrid aftertaste of deep thought. S...

Cynthia Manick’s poetry collection personifies love of self and culture through fresh observations and bitter truths voiced with breathtaking lyricism.

No Sweet Without Brine is both a soulful and celebratory collection that summons sticky sweet memories with an acrid aftertaste of deep thought. Satisfying moments are captured in odes to Idris Elba’s dulcet tones on a meditation app and the satisfaction of half-priced Entenmann’s poundcake; in childlike observations of parental Black love, the coveted female form on Jet Magazine covers, and the desire for Zamunda to be a real place full of Black joy. The sour taps into an analysis of reclusiveness, silencing catcalls from men on the street, and detailed recipes and advice to the Black girls forced to endow themselves with armor against the world.

Cynthia Manick’s latest is a playlist of everyday life, introverted thoughts, familial bonds, and social commentary. In piercing language, she traces the circle of life for a narrator who dares to exist between youthful remembrances and adulthood realities. Each poem in No Sweet Without Brine is a reminder that a hint of sorrow makes the celebration and recognition of the glory of Blackness in all ways, and through all people, that much sweeter.

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No Sweet Without Brine is a poetic playlist that encompasses everyday life, introspective thoughts, strong family connections, and insightful social commentary. Through her powerful words, Manick portrays the journey of a narrator who exists between youthful memories and the realities of adulthood. Each poem reminds us that a touch of sorrow adds depth to the celebration and appreciation of Blackness in all its forms and in all individuals.

In this remarkable collection, Cynthia Manick showcases her talent for creating a harmonious blend of words and emotions. No Sweet Without Brine invites readers to embrace the full range of human experiences, weaving together the bitter and the sweet to create a profound celebration of Black culture and identity.

Reviewed by: Orsayor

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