Rupi Kaur, an Instagram poet, wrote a poem named, “where the depression came from”. This poem is informal and uses no standard punctuation or capitalization to signify complete sentences. Her poem has meaning and depth that airs the complexity of human emotions. Where does depression come from? Can you tie down this emotion to one […]
Concepts of race in 21st century poetry: a reflection
One characteristic that both critical readings for this week share is that they focus on how 21st century poetry attempts to center experiences and works of BIPOC poets that previous poetic frameworks might have marginalized or relegated to lower status due to perceptions of race, politics, and subjectivity. Yu explains, “Rather than seeing the work […]
An Imitative response to “Morning Song” by Sylvia Plath Trigger Warning – suicide
Evening Song By Rachel Windsor Sorrow took your breath like a chill wind. The silence robbed the night, and your last breath Took its place among the elements My voice echos, magnifying your absence. New statue In a drafty museum, your stillness Shadows my terror. I stand shocked angry as fence rows I am no […]
Projective Experience in Olson’s “Maximus, to Himself”
“Maximus, to himself” is one of my favorites of George Olson’s poetry. It displays the freedom in the lack of formalism within the verses iconic to Black Mountain Poetry while conforming to his lofty predetermined ideas on objectivity and projectivism. The poem itself is equal parts devastating and beautiful. The poet admits a nihilistic defeat […]
Symmetry in Free Verse Vs. Rhythm in Formalist works of Julia Alvarez vs. Sylvia Plath.
Dana Gioia, in the chapter entitled “Notes on the New Formalism” found in the text New Expansive Poetry, makes the claim that free verse uses aural techniques similar to the formal poetic usage of meter. He says, “ Poetry demands to be recited, heard, even memorized for its true appreciation (17). Gioia also claims on […]
Brittle Bones a rewrite of Maggie Smith’s “Good Bones”
Brittle Bones By Rachel Windsor Life is short, though I hide this from my consciousness Life is shortening, they’ve shortened mine In a thousand deceitful, horrendous ways, A thousand deceitful, horrendous ways I’ll pretend to not hear. The world is at LEAST Ninety percent terrible, and That’s a conservative Estimate, though I keep this […]
Please Read Thee Fine Print
Did you know that Jo made a hybrid? Something about being versatile that makes the world go round and round. Because you simply spin me. And Manson ain’t quite Manson no more. Whatever happened to cults? Did the weather get too cold or clout? There’s something to this language stuff. A rhetorical flourish, an ornamental […]
Seeing History in Harper’s “American History”
Michael S. Harper, Image Source: africanamerianpoetry.orgMichael S. Harper’s poem “American History” is a haunting nine line poem. The poem’s use of concrete images coupled with it’s compact brevity works to speak not only to America’s racist past, but of also to the treatment of history in America. The poem opens with reference to the Baptist […]
“Blonde White Women” – Patricia Smith
Patricia Smith’s poem, “Blond White Women”, resonates with me as I, too, always admired blond little girls and women growing up. I grew up in the 80s and all I saw on my television screens were blonde images of beauty. Smith’s poem seems to move towards truth and clarity, and she uses great tempo and […]
A Reflection and “Cruising on Highway 61”
This week, we read about African American poets before and after the BAM (Black Arts Movement) poets. I was moved by much of their work, and I again found myself with a dilemma: how do I respond to these poets and their work. I am fully aware that I cannot, nor should I, attempt to […]