Title: Kingdom Verses
Author: Rhoda Benjamin
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-7960-6259-5
Genre: Spiritual Poetry
Pages: 62
Reviewed by: Beth Adams

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Poet and author Rhoda Benjamin has assembled a collection of a score of her poems reflecting on her spiritual strength, appreciation of Christ, and respect for God and Jesus, and printed them spaciously along with some images in Kingdom Verses. Rhoda Benjamin has a theme within most of her poems enhancing the Bible’s messaging of how to love and live with others; how to rid oneself of evil thoughts and relish in the humility of being a follower of Jesus. These are lessons in which readers will see how important God is, and has been, in the author’s life, while hopefully gaining a richer insight as to becoming a higher self-actualized individual. Her verses are written with a beat and rhyme, using a vernacular of Biblical references, which should always be well received by Christians and spiritually conscious individuals.

Rhoda Benjamin does get personal about her life. Her poem “Born to Win” tells of her unyielding convictions and how she did not let typical cultural stereotyping whittle at her core strength. She writes, “I am not ashamed of my identity, a black woman, British born, West Indian strong, naturalized American, legalized / I am created in the very image of God, benevolent, intelligent, gracious Industrious, virtuous, religious—in God I trust.” One of my favorite poems is “Just Spinning.” “Spinning Like A Top In The Mud / Spinning, Just Spinning / Still Sitting There / Having Done Nothing” where she finally deals with procrastination and decides to go for a walk. It has a subtle humor and mocking of the lives many people (don’t) achieve.

This book, as with many poetry collections, is best to be read multiple times, at various intervals in order to truly perceive the mind-set of the poet. It would be ideal for a Church reading group to use for the basis of discussions and opinion, as well as for sheer enjoyment. From her humble stance of being a servant of the Lord to her ability to communicate brilliantly, Kingdom Verses is the type of book which is a gift – to others or to yourself.

As she awaits the second coming of Christ, her poetry is a blessing to all who enjoy personal interpretations of faith, God and good versus evil. There is a serenity of her writing, and she interlaces the pages with a few original photographs to add to pensive inspiration. Rhoda Benjamin ends her book with an interactive exercise which can be done by the reader or in a group. Kingdom Verses is a book not to be missed for those wishing to enhance their own personal kingdom while here on Earth.