Sean Frederick Forbes's debut poetry collection, PROVIDENCIA, presents deeply personal poems that delve into family history and mythology. This coming-of-age story follows a gay, mixed-race narrator as he navigates the traditions of his parents' and grandparents' homeland, the seemingly perfect island of Providencia, Colombia, while contrasting it with his challenging and solitary life in Southside Jamaica, Queens. These lyrical poems create a third space for the speaker, allowing him to embrace his sexual, racial, and artistic identities without feeling isolated. Composed in both free verse and traditional forms, PROVIDENCIA evokes a variety of voices, images, and characters to examine the journey of self-discovery.
