BRASSBONES & RAINBOWS is the debut poetry collection of Shirley Bradley LeFlore, an oral poet and?performance artist from St. Louis, Missouri who has been on the scene for over five decades. While LeFlore tackles social, political and cultural issues with a profound love for humanity, she also provides insight into self-identity, inner-strength, beauty and faith. A literary griot, LeFlore shares the fabric of verse through jazz, blues and gospel music. Blending realism with lyricism that is interspersed with humor, these short and accessible verses flow in an easy going, smooth and soothing Southern American dialect mixed with African American Vernacular English -- its intensity changing from poem to poem -- with words serving as musical notes. BRASSBONES & RAINBOWS is a stunning testament to Shirley Bradley LeFlore, a story singer whose words will certainly roll off your tongue.

SHIRLEY BRADLEY LEFLORE is an oral poet/performance artist and retired adjunct professor of women's and ethnic literature. She has taught at various colleges and universities throughout the country, has read and performed her work on stage, television and radio, and has published in numerous anthologies and magazines. BRASSBONES & RAINBOWS is LeFlore's debut poetry collection.