A wonderful review of my microchapbook “Have you heard the one about…?” (Ghost City Press, 2023) has just dropped over at The Poetry Question.
Psaltery & Lyre Book Review of The Third Renunciation
“Henry’s work is skillfully filled with contradictions, provocation, humor, aggression, and ponderance. Be prepared to sit down with your own self and allow yourself to question your faith and the absurdity of life as you read these vividly powerful poems. Each time you read them, you’ll find new wisdom.”
I’m pleased to have this thoughtful review of The Third Renunciation in Psaltery & Lyre
Fare Forward’s The Editors’ Best of 2023 - The Third Renunciation
In a year filled with mass shootings, hate crimes, and wars, I craved a book on theodicy. But I wasn’t going to find the book I personally needed on a systematic theology shelf. Instead, I reread Henry’s poems.
A Review of The Third Renunciation
Caldwell University’s Journal Editing class has posted a series of reviews of poetry collections. The Third Renunciation is among the collections chosen. Click below to read all of them. Mine is second from the bottom.
Slant Books Review of The Third Renunciation
Brian Volk wrote a review of The Third Renunciation for Slant Books. It’s a mind-blowing honor to be considered alongside the new work of B.H. Fairchild and Scott Cairns.
The StoryGraph Reviews of The Third Renunciation
Reviews of The Third Renunciation on The StoryGraph website.
Review of The Third Renunciation at The Poetry Question
The Third Renunciation by Matthew E. Henry is a collection of sonnets that presents the theological in a way in which the reader is made to ruminate on their own faith and understanding of the divine, the religious and the unknown. Centered on the exploration of evil, pain and the perceptions that we all hold that demarcate what these conceptions are personally. Henry’s sonnets make sustained use of metaphor both individually and between themselves where an overarching extended metaphor can be seen that begs the reader to ask themselves; “What truth do you hold and is it consistent?”
Perhaps one notion that stays with me the most upon reflecting on Henry’s latest collection is the idea that the divine has lasted throughout human existence. However, it may be that our conception of divinity must truly change for salvation to be found. On Earth or otherwise. …
Interview with Jacquelyn Scott
Click to read my interview with Jacquelyn Scott about my writing.
the Colored page reviewed in The Pedestal Magazine
I'm honored that an amazing review of the Colored page appears in Pedestal Magazine.
You can read it here.
The Main Street Rag review of the Colored page
I am proud to have a new review of the Colored page in the Fall 2022 edition of The Main Street Rag.
The Boston Globe’s Review of the Colored page
With clarity and force, he corrects the misconception that Massachusetts, and the northeast, are bastions of tolerance and equality. Henry teaches hard lessons, and necessary ones.
You can read the full review here.
the Colored page is available for purchase.
the Colored page Review at Fahmidan Journal
This collection of a poetry brings tears to one’s eyes, whilst presenting a variety of social and philosophical questions drawn from the repository of Henry’s lived experience. As a whole, this collection can be summed up as; Haunting, bold and necessary. My only hope for this incredible collection is that it succeeds in changing narratives of oppression and inequality and remedies generations of inequality.
the Colored page’s first book review is out from Fahmidan Journal ! You can read the full thing here.
Read “when my colleagues here are employer confused me with the only other black teacher in the district” and “practice makes perfect,” two poems previously published in Fahmidan Journal
Review of Dust and Ashes at Sundress Reads
I didn’t know this review existed until my publisher tagged me on Facebook.
I read it and learned that review writing is an art form all its own. This one: a masterpiece. I am honored and humbled and embarrassed and exposed.
Good feelings all around.
You can read the review here.
You can buy your copy here.
Teaching While Black Reviewed in The Radical Teacher
An in-depth and insightful review of Teaching While Black was written by Eben Wood for The Radical Teacher (where some of the poems in my collection originally appeared).
Mr. Wood comments on my work through the critical lens of radical pedagogy, including not only my poems in his analysis, but also my choice of epigrams, ordering, and this historical moment.
It’s always humbling to see my work through someone else’s eyes. Click image to read.
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“self-evident” on the Radio
My poem “self-evident” read and discussed on WOUB's Poetry Conversations.
This was the first time being a fly on the wall to a discussion of my work. I'm pleased.
The reading and discussion begins around the 12:30 mark.
Review of Teaching While Black in The Boston Globe
There is a short, but powerful review of Teaching While Black in The Boston Globe’s most recent New England Literary News Section.
You can read it online here.
(And you thought I’d first make it into The Globe for other reasons…)
Review of Teaching While Black at Sundress Reads
Teaching While Black is a full collection of confessional poetry from black poet and educator Matthew E. Henry available through Main Street Rag Publishing Company. This book showcases the lack of respect Henry, as a Black teacher, often faces in the public school system and the amount of emotional labor he often carries for his students…
Thus begins a lovely review of my collection from Sundress Publication’s Sundress Reads .
Read the rest here.
Review of Teaching While Black at BASPPS
Doug Holder's Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene has posted an excellent review of Teaching While Black written by Gregory J. Wolos.
I feel a exposed.
The Poetry Cafe's Review of Teaching While Black
Henry is an educator… who also feels deeply the frustrations incumbent upon being a Black teacher working in schools with a majority of white educators and students. God bless him for that, and even more so, for the frank, humorous, and compassionate poems in his memorable chapbook, Teaching While Black.
