Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of Medgar Evers Paperback – May 1, 2013

In a world where Americans cant understand the notion of separate bathrooms/drinking fountains or lynching, the ghost of Medgar Evans should not be forgotten. It is in the suffering of those we lost in the Civil Rites movement that our compassion grows, and it is in providing insight into the perspectives of those who would kill four small children in a church bombing or slay the activist that what is unthinkable can be understood.Kentucky poet laureate Frank X Walker doesn't preach in this collection, doesn't draw lines in the sand or define the motivations of those invested in this reality. Instead, with a few well-written lines, he opens channels of reason, moments of humanity -- and then pulls them up in the facts. The impact is the grace of men wanting something better, the tragedy of fear strangling empathy and reason, the rage that makes finding one's right or best way possible.The reading alone is enjoyable. The message and meaning makes this transcendent work, especially for generations who've never witnessed or know those who have. It is a powerful reality we shouldn't lose; Miller makes sure we won't.

Each time I opened the book, I had to put it aside because I started to cry which is the first time that has ever happened to me. I was a sub-teen when Medgar Evers was assassinated and remember my parents talking about it. As an adult, I had followed Mrs. Ever's efforts to bring Byron De La Beckwith to trial. When I finally made my way through the poems, I found the women's (Mrs. Evers and the two Mrs. De La Beckwiths) perspective and voices compelling. Mr.Walker did an exceptional job of imagining what these characters had to say. His other pieces, such as "Ambiguity Over The Confederate Flag..." and "A Final Accounting", perfectly complement the tone set by the character poems. "One-third of 180 grams of lead" was devastating. My sincere thanks to Mr. Walker.

A collection of poems that tell the story of Medgar Evers, a Black man assassinated for his work in the civil rights movement.from The N- Word: "Hearing that word launched / from the back of any throat // brings back the smell / of German shepherd breath // of fresh gasoline / and sulfur air // of fear—both ours and theirs."from Listening to Music: "The right song slow dancing through the air / at the end of a long day full of kids // and no husband, could not only set the tone, / but put the sound of yesterday back in the air."from Haiku for Emmett Till: "Fourteen is too soon / to visit Mississippi / to come home in a box"

Inventive in structure, approach, and execution. An investigation and exploration of southern everything. A tone poem from both sides of the gun and the confederate flag. It feels like a documentary, a Greek classic play, and a slam at the same time. Read this! Tell people to read it. I think there are several pieces within this narrative that should be required or recommended reading in both HS history and English classes across the US. I keep trying to write stage a theatrical version, but I can't get so wine to bite. I'd love to see and hear it on a stage.

I had to read this book for class and the first pages I read I thought it would be a drag because of the fact it was about slavery but this novel took a different approach and did it in a form of poems, it kept my attention.

Had to get for school:(

Medgar Evers is a relatively unsung character in history. Too many people have no idea who he was, what he stood for, or of his assassination. Frank Walker uses persona poems to bring the Evers drama to life in a way that's quite intimate and personal.

Attention members of society: this is a must read. Very well-written. The moment we let go of the past, we disown the future. Walker will help open your mind to our ever so recent pastime.