This collection brings together poetry by 47 French-speaking women from West and Central Africa, some established and some in the beginning of their careers. Essays by D'Almeida (French and francophone studies, U. of Arizona), who traveled to Africa to collect the poems, and Mayes (African American studies, Syracuse U.) provide an introduction on the role of women in oral traditions and notes on the translations. Presented in alphabetical order by author, all poems are published in English for the first time and are accompanied by the original French version and very brief biographies. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)