Forrest Stepnowski

One thing about poetry books is that they CANNOT be read in one single sitting, they need to be read over the course of several days; especially if they deal with one particular topic, as is the case with “Journey to the Rainbow's End: A Drag Queen's Odyssey” by Forrest Stepnowski.

If one would try to encapsulate the essence of what the author is saying within the pages and poems in his book, I believe one would have to look no further than the song ‘I Am What I A’ from ‘La Cage Aux Folles’:

i am what i am
i am my own special creation
so come take a look
give me the hook or the ovation
it’s my world that i want
to have a little pride in
my world and it's not
a place i have to hide in
life's not worth a dame
till you can say
hey world
i am what i am!
i am what i am!

Looking at the title itself, specifically at the word RAINBOW; we find it might be referencing the song ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, where the author, in my opinion, is attempting to communicate to his readers, the desire of people like him to getaway from their present environments and to be in a more acceptable place for them.

In the end, for having given his all readers this empowering book of what it’s like to be in his shoes, and to those who are like him that they’re not alone in how they feel; I given Mr. Stepnowski 5 STARS.… (more)