The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott

by Jill Scott

Writing poems and keeping journal since 1991, Jill Scott now shares her personal poetry collection in The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours. Praised for her earthy, honestly erotic, soulful and very real lyrics, Jill Scott explores all the flavors of life, love, and self. Of her music, Jill "It's music. It's experiences. It's vulnerability. It's honesty. It's being a woman---an African American woman. Being a daughter, a sister, a grandchild and a Godmother. It's life. It's deeper than what I know. It's bigger than what I can see. I guess it's a dive into the human spirit." And the same will come forth in this never- before-seen collection of her poetry.

Genres: Poetry, African American, Nonfiction, Music, Womens, Celebrity

144 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

Jill Scott is an American soul and R&B singer-songwriter, poet, and actress. In 2007, Scott made her cinematic debut in the films Hounddog (as Big Mama Thornton) and in Tyler Perry's feature film, Why Did I Get Married? That same year her third studio album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3, was released on September 25, 2007. She has won three Grammy Awards. She currently appears in the lead role of the BBC/HBO series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

Reviews

[Darkowaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love me some Jill Scott! I have all her albums and her music lifts my spirit. During the peak of the Neo-Soul era (which I wish would return), she was and still is a favorite.

This collection was lyrical and pretty sexual. Its divided into five chapters and my favorite was chapter IV entitled - 'Us Sistahs Sometimes', which is dedicated to Black women and celebrates our uniqueness. Poems in this section speak on hair salon experiences, heartbreak, independence, our various skin tones, self-love, miscarriage, a mother's love etc. I even recognized some lyrics from her earlier albums like 'Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1'.

The rest of the collection I felt repetitive. She seemed to be saying the same thing, but in slightly different ways which got quite boring. Also, the images that were tagged to some of the poems were not aesthetically pleasing to me - maybe because I read the Kindle version?
Anyways! I hope she comes out with another poetry collection soon. Its been over 10 years since this was published!
3.5 stars

[Quanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I don't know about you but I have a routine when I finally receive down time and finally get to sit down.
I sit down at the dining room table with a cup of lipton and hint of lemon. And when I finally got a chance to read this book, she made it worth my while.

This book is sensual, sweet, raw, jaw dropping and refreshing. She most definitely gives you the same presence and breathe taking experience she gives you on her albums and concerts. Jill Scott takes pleasure in being Jill Scott while empathizing and sympathizing with others.

This book is great. Jill Scott is poetically beautiful.

Until...

[Nakia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jill writes beautiful poetry...like she lives inside both, my head and my heart. She signed my copy.

[Alysia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jill Scott has a clear voice in this beautiful book of her early poems. I could hear her reading them out loud. I could see these are poems from her early days and it shows how see came to be the amazing songstress she is know. Some of the poems are better than others. The illustrations are wonderful. This book will be a keeper.

[LaGaryce · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Queen Rosalind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Poetry! Some poems, I had to reread because I enjoyed the tingling feeling I got the first time. Some poems, gave me an all to real moment of what that may have felt like. Some was like poetic porn, lovemaking, and lust that so many people yearn to feel but will never experience. But most made me feel empowered to be a better African American Woman!

[Erika Coldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Scott is one of those people you would just live to spend an entire day with, soaking up everything she has to offer. I wouldn't even have to say anything; just to be able to watch her create would be enough for me.

I read this compilation of her work many years ago and it still holds a special place in my heart. The way in which she can make you visualize the words on the page (or in a song for that matter) baffle me every time. There are few writers/poets who have that affect on me. I often sit and think to myself "how in the hell did she get that to do that?!"

Ugh! I can go on forever about that greatness that is Jill Scott but I'll spare you. Do yourself a favor though and purchase this book of you haven't already. It's soo worth every glossy page.

[Kellea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Scott is one of my favorite artists and you can certainly tell where she got her poetic singing voice from by reading her poetry. I actually met her when she did a book signing and took a picture with her. I hope she publishes a sequel.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a brilliant effort by someone who has obviously spent most of her life making keen observations of her circumstances as well as the circumstances of those around her. It’s also clear she has been writing for many years. Her poems are reflective, encouraging, celebratory and patiently abrasive—knowing that true adjustments in one’s life take time, but also acknowledging that a kick in one’s ass is usually the impetus for such adjustments. I love that she is so dedicated to celebrating life's bliss alongside it's hardship.

My personal preference for poetry are poems that leave me confused—twirling some refrain repeatedly between my ears while trying to discover the author’s meaning (or at least figure out what I think about it). Unfortunately (perhaps only for me), I did not get a lot of that. Like her songwriting style, Jill’s poems were not difficult to decipher. As a friend described it, “Jill’s poems are for those people who want to say ‘humph’ or ‘damn’ at the end of every line.” While I don’t entirely agree with that assessment, I did find myself exclaiming my pleasure in her writing quite often at the end of her stanzas.

It’s a good read and worth having on the shelves. I look forward to reading more of her work.

[Aimee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Jill Scott's music: the way she blends different musical influences with her own lyrics and delivering them with her goddess-given voice *is* poetry. But these poems, while unpretentious, lacked depth. To be fair, this volume incorporates some of her earliest stuff before she honed her craft.

[Shanna T-Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently reading this book. I love how you can visualize every poem In this book, and ur able to set the scene. So amazing Ms. Jill Scott. Such a wonderful poet... She is definitely an inspiration to me, wanting to write more and more poetry. Thank u Jill :).

[Creolecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Some of these were beautiful. More please.

[Joi Reece · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can actually describe this entire book in two words: Mental Orgasm

This book brought the same down-to-earth, personal, and tell-it-like-it-is/was/or should be voice that I love from J. Scott. Although I expected nothing less, her writing added an additional layer of complexity and eloquence to an already talented artist. This book will send you on a ride like no other, being tossed and turned with conflicting thoughts and emotions. A must read.

[Barbara Albin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Scott is in touch with her poetry as she is in touch with her music. As you resd her poetry she opens herself up to the reader. This is the way Miss Scott is and it does make her endearing. Her words may not appeal to everyone but the do to me and I have always appreciated her honesty in her music and her poetry is the same.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say that we don't already know. She is a wonderful singer, actress, and poet!  

This book was no different, but I will say the girl had sex in her mind much to much while writing this. 

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful words as expected. Love her music :)

[sweetconnectionswithtoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loooooove this book!

[Katrine Engelhardt Thomsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soul filling
Heart healing
Faith restoring

[Ardyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot here that I could relate to, in terms of experiences common to many young women. I've aged out of most of it now, partly because I'm no longer remotely "hot" so the male gaze isn't directed at me this way, and partly because all those hormones and feelings don't rule me anymore... maybe best expressed as a combo of chemistry + experience?

There's also a lot here that is specific to the Black American woman experience.

Poetry has always been an area of difficulty for me... I'm not in a position to comment on Scott's technique. I can say she made me feel, and remember, in ways I haven't for many years. And occasionally I could hear her voice in my head, performing the words.

Note for my GR friends who avoid racy material of all kinds: sex and sexuality are presented explicitly in this collection, always as part of exploring the connection between physical and emotional intimacy. How sex can leave us feeling empty inside, or full, or utterly broken... and also how those feelings have a ripple effect on our experience of life generally.

[Poetic Diva504 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a poet all my life, and an avid reader. This is one of those book where you only read to appreciate the art. I read and write a lot, but this book had me speechless. So many emotions are evoked through her words, and the energy contained within this masterpiece is potent. Jill Scott's words of wisdom are words that every woman should definitely read.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Scott is an American singer-songwriter, model, poet, and actress. This collection of poetry is very easy to read and very addictive. This is the kind of poetry that I enjoy reading. Poetry that speaks to you. Poetry that you can feel. There was not a poem in this collection that I didn't enjoy reading. Two of my favorite out of the collection is Potty Trained and Pocket Size #5.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought her voice was powerful in this book- I would love to see her perform some of the poems live. The poems did not fit my personal life experiences or perception of the world, but I do think all voices have value

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't really read a lot of poetry - picked this one up for the Reading Women challenge.

I liked a few of the poems but overall I don't think the style was for me. I actually enjoyed the introductory essay about how she got into poetry more than most of the poems.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Jill's poetry. I didn't know she wrote poetry - but I'm not surprised just delighted. Love her voice.

[Magali · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was beautiful.

[Gabriella · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 - 3 stars.

[Tonya Mangum · Rating 5 out of 5]

No less than what you would expect from Jilly from Philly. Beautiful book of poetry and funny! 😜

[Essence Cropper · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Nestle your soul in the pillows of me-"
That line knocked me upside my heart. This is a lovely glimpse into an Artist I've loved for years...

[RDD · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I'm a big fan of poetry . . . but I did like many of these poems, but I didn't love it.