"In This We Hear the Light," is a exceptional collection of Cuba theme poetry by award winning poet, John B. Lee, - without a doubt some of his most outstanding work, juxtaposed by an equally splendid assembly of Cuba theme photography by Richard M. Grove. The poems and photographs represent the inspiration from many years of travelling in Cuba. Since first traveling to Cuba, John B. Lee came to love the island and to admire her people. "In This We Hear the Light," is an ekphrastic project, its literary efforts are beautifully complemented by Grove's exquisite photographs. The poems and the photographs aspire to capture something more deeply felt than the reflections of a mere tourist. Poetry and photography both hold the deep felt mysteries that come from understanding Cuba on an intimate and cherished level.

Suffused with light and air, the poems have the clarity of great photography, the feel of wind in the hair, the hushed compassion for everything and everyone seen and heard.There is a rich exuberance underlying all impressions, but not exploited at the expense of deep feelings.There is a subtle basic bass line supporting the sparkling right hand figures of Lee's style--an unerring ear matched to an intensity of vision, and both in the service of heart, mind and soul.More and more, I'm impressed by Lee's wish to communicate in artistic language without compromise--by his steely discipline as he balances the richest of language with spiritual insight, avoiding the cheap plays of irony, frippery vulgarity that tarnishes so much of "People's Poetry."This is subtly conveyed by his kind shading of metaphor with "like'' since similes are less dazzling and therefore more sympathetic to the nerves of the common reader as he sublimely manipulates emotions with all the artistry of the poet aligned with the gravitas of the image.John B. Lee is "the" People's Poet with the hidden agenda of a spiritual adviser, a magician of language whose poems often conclude with an amazing transcendence of intellect confronted by the inexpressible and surrendering to it in a skyrocket of wild imagery and pure poetry.I admire the unselfconscious pride with which Lee propagates his love of literature--its power and its glory--around his town and around the world--an evangelist of truth and beauty. To read Lee's work is to believe in them for the first time all over again. God bless him.by George Whipple

Say this of me, reader, after the voice-vanish of this life. I felt the joy of foolishness and in the muddy shoes of morning saw love.--John B. Lee. 105 pp.

In English and Spanish Sweet Cuba The Building of a Poetic Tradition: 1608-1958 Forja de una tradicion poetica: 1608-1958 Published by Hidden Brook Press ISBN - 978-1-897475-53-9 Editor: Dr. Manuel de Jesus Velazquez Leon Translators: John B. Lee, Dr. Manuel de Jesus Velazquez Leon Sweet Cuba is the most significant book of translated Cuban poetry ever published. It will remain of dominant importance in Cuba's poetic history for decades to come. Cuban poetry has never had such a thorough and precise translation as is presented here in this collection. Sweet Cuba es el libro de poesia cubana traducida mas significativo que haya sido publicado. Sera de importancia relevante en la historia poetica de Cuba por decadas. La poesia cubana nunca ha tenido una traduccion tan precisa y cabal como la que esta antologia ofrece. Apart from a few known writers, Cuban poetry is a mystery to us. To have it so brilliantly translated by John B. Lee and Manuel Velazquez is indeed a gift. They translate the poetic history of that astonishing island with a master's hand. Rosemary Sullivan, author of "Cuba - Grace Under Pressure" Con la excepcion de unos pocos poetas conocidos, la poesia cubana es un misterio para nosotros. Tenerla tan brillantemente traducida por John B. Lee y Manuel Velazquez es ciertamente un obsequio. Ellos traducen la historia poetica de esa isla asombrosa con mano maestra. Rosemary Sullivan, autora de Cuba - Grace Under Pressure ---- The paradox of Sweet Cuba is the fragile poetic bridges that yearn to connect Marti's metaphorical yoke with stars that are within and beyond the reach of language. These poems record the dialectic between the romantic possibilities and phenomenal impossibilities that are the poignant story of Cuba, and nothing is lost in translation. Linda Rogers, Victoria Poet Laureate La paradoja de Sweet Cuba es la de los fragiles puentes poeticos que ansian conectar el yugo metaforico de Marti con estrellas que estan dentro y mas alla del alcance del lenguaje. Estos poemas exploran la dialectica entre las posibilidades romanticas y las imposibilidades fenomenales que constituyen la conmovedora historia de Cuba, y nada se pierde en la traduccion. Linda Rogers, Poetiza Laureada de Victoria