Sharday Cage has given the world a gift. Her debut book of poetry, entitled "Death of a Black Star," offers a beautiful perspective on the duality of culture. Drawing from her African heritage and pulling from her Chicagoan upbringing, Sharday provides passionate prose and rhymes about what it's like to be black and living in America while having dreams of Africa. Along with this, her words debate what it means to be troubled by life, to be inspired by love, and most of all, to shine bright as a black star. Sharday Cage began reciting her poetry at Saint Xavier, whereat she reached a pivotal moment: reciting her poem "Forgiveness" to Sister Helen Prejean, who has become a leading American advocate for the abolition of the death penalty and who was played by Susan Sarandon in the film based on her life, Dead Man Walking. What has been said about "Death of a Black Star: " "Her poems are wise, edgy, funky, relevant, and universal. Best of all, to steal a phrase from the old jazzmen, her poems "swing." She has impeccable pace, rhythm, and timing. Sharday's poetry is a joy to read." - Milo Samardzija "Her poems are the voice of African Americans living in a new century that is still trying to deal with an enormous amount of change and acceptance of culture. I prefer to look at these poems as letters from the front line of these changes for all people, African or otherwise." ---Dan Picone, Poet and author of "Lost Evidents," which is also available on Sakura Publishing at http: //www.sakura-publishing.com