Divine Poetry: 2013-14 Is Where It All Began by Saven "Con-A" Watts is a collection of 9 poems that the author wrote in his junior year of high school. When a collection is as concentrated as this, you can easily pinpoint the meaning behind each piece. What is supposed to be an assignment turns out to be something that you can relate to and feel a connection with. Each piece of poetry is long but simple enough to resonate with the reader. The poems share the author’s thoughts, his spirituality, his love for his city, and his desire to accept who he is. Each piece is thoughtfully curated and authentic. It exposes the emotions the author went through while writing it, but also resonates with readers.

Divine Poetry: 2013-14 Is Where It All Began is the perfect companion for young adult readers or anyone who is looking for something light yet empowering to read. I enjoyed this collection. I love the fact that each piece of poetry can mean something different to every reader. It reflects the emotions readers are going through and embraces them. Some poems are a little lyrical, some are more rhythmic, and then there are a few that feel like a song that I am ready to sing out loud. These poems are simple, but they grab your attention and make you think. I think Saven "Con-A" Watts is seriously talented. I cannot wait to read some recent poems by him and explore how his writing has matured.

Sometimes when we're challenged to do something against our will, it not only becomes our best work but it opens us up to a whole new world and adventure. In Divine Poetry: 2013-14 Is Where It All Began by Saven "Con-A" Watts, what started out as a class assignment of articulate expression and poetry turned into nine raw, gritty, and in-your-face poems of the urban streets. Open the book and immediately with the first poem, The Evolution Of A True Millennium Reveals Its Face, the reader sees not only the elements of daily life but the challenges and struggles to exist, strategically fight, and be accepted against all odds. Other poems like What A Feeling To Be 18 and Strung Out On Crime will touch the reader as they walk in the shoes of the author. These poems need to be heard, breathed, and embraced to reflect the life that others are living.

Divine Poetry: 2013-14 Is Where It All Began is important because just like rap and hip-hop, it provides not only a level of expression but a connection to the reader. In essence, we are all interconnected by six degrees or less of separation in which we each experience various levels of emotions based upon our life's journey. After each poem, Saven "Con-A" Watts adds a special touch with his quote which speaks volumes to the experience for the reader. One of my favorites was Homeless Flunky because of its style and finesse. If you love poetry, pick up a copy of this book today. Enjoy!

Divine Poetry by Saven "Con-A" Watts is a collection of poetry that touches on many subjects that are relevant to today's society. From the mental and emotional struggles of modern-day life to the pressures we all face in overcoming obstacles placed upon us, whether internally or externally, so we may become our authentic selves. The poems are a poignant reminder that no matter what our social and educational backgrounds, we all have the power and potential to thrive. The subjects of race relations, gang violence, and activism are examined plus the social conditioning we face from peers, mainstream media and society. The intention of this compilation is to challenge the narrative of social, economic and racial stereotypes so you can become the best version of yourself. The world is filled with kindness and humility if you choose to see it.

Divine Poetry by Saven "Con-A" Watts is a beautiful and thought-provoking collection of poetry that ignites each and every one of your emotions. The theme of each poem is optimistic and encourages everyone not to be afraid to reach for their goals and dreams. The language used is powerful and reminds us that we were all born with unique skills and talents that we must not be afraid to showcase. I loved the prologue as it gave a very compelling insight into the beliefs and background of Saven and the writers that have inspired him. The Evolution Of A True Millennium Reveals Its Face vividly describes the emotional turmoil of sorrow and emptiness which perfectly describes how our mental resolve has been challenged during the pandemic. It also has an inspiring message that our past or present should not determine our future. This line from the collection described growing up surrounded by violence so powerfully for me, “Some people were born, raised, and brought up in this lifestyle. And then there's others who've been influenced or diagnosed by these criminal elements since teenagers or young adults. Feeling trapped with no kind of inspiration, motivation, or hope. When you're prone to a cycle of death, poverty, drugs, drama, and violence. Believe me it's no joke.” I also loved Homeless Flunky which deals with the pressure on social media to reach perfection when we should celebrate our individuality. This is such an engaging collection from a very talented poet.

In Divine Poetry: 2013-14 Is Where It All Began by Saven “Con-A” Watts, poet Watts says he wants his poems to “resonate in the realm of your higher inner beings.” In a fusion of gangstah rap and e. e. cummings, he presents nine poems that were apparently part of a school project by a dedicated teacher who wanted his students to experience the power of verbal expression. The poems express the feelings and aspirations, fears and joys, confessions, and challenges of Watts’ interactions with Cincinnati’s inner city. In one poem he says he feels like a caged animal, in another he lauds the beauty and merits of his hometown, in another, he says that due to poverty and lack of opportunity, “I risk to take chances.” In his celebration of turning 18, he has the temerity to rhyme Joe Flacco with tobacco.

In Divine Poetry, Watts definitely hit the mark of my higher inner being with the passionate emotions and surging energy contained in his stirring verse, each poem in a similar unpunctuated form emphasizing an almost regular rhyme scheme, and each with a driving beat. Fine poetry, by its nature, is always ambiguous, enticing the reader to engage in interpretation. William Carlos Williams wrote that he wanted to write a poem you can understand—but “you got to try hard.” By trying hard in Watts’ Divine Poetry, we feel and understand his challenging and often deadly world, and our inner being is touched by the celebration and exuberance of his joy of language and by his determination to add his invisible existence to the world. In the last poem of the group, Saven “Con-A” Watts affirms that you don’t need to be famous “to speak the truth.” And I am tremendously privileged to be among the first to welcome Mr. Watts’ voice to the canon of literary greats.

Divine Poetry: 2013-14 Is Where It All Began by Saven "Con-A" Watts is a collection of poetry that will make readers think with its fresh perspective on life and thought-provoking insights. The poems are profound and will motivate, enlighten, and inspire the younger generation of poetry lovers to tap into their inner selves. The poet's transition from that of a low-level street-affiliated hoodlum to a deep and expressive poet is palpable in the poems. The poet's maturity when it comes to his thoughts and his contentment in being who he is rather than projecting an image for the world to see is visible through these writings.

His writings reflect the mind of a thinker who is trying to look into the various dimensions of life. His need to be alone and have time for himself is mentioned through his poem 'Old Soul Of A Lone Wolf' as readers as given a chance to see how this mind works. The poet turning 18 and welcoming adulthood in the poem 'What A Feeling To Be 18' is relatable to readers, especially the ones who are on the threshold of adulthood. The poet also gives credit to the many people who encouraged and motivated him in various ways which helped him push beyond his limits. Divine Poetry is evocative and well worded and gives glimpses of the poet's thoughts and caged emotions to readers. The writing style is minimalist and the poet deftly conveys his thoughts to readers clearly in his debut collection.