Fats here.
I’m sharing a new poetry anthology by Tracy K. Smith, Poet Laureate of the United States and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Life on Mars. Check out a sample of her work which we featured two years ago.
Moving seamlessly between private lyric and public documents such as the Declaration of Independence, accounts of near-death experiences, letters and testimonies of African Americans enlisted in the Civil War, and the survivors’ reports of recent immigrants and refugees, these are poems on a variety of scales and in a diverse chorus of voices. No matter the approach, Smith’s signature voice turns over what it means to be a citizen, a mother, and an artist in a culture arbitrated by wealth, men, and violence.
Poetry Friday round-up is hosted by Margaret at Reflections on the Teche!
Deadly
The holy thinks Tiger,
Then watches the thing
Wriggle, divide, stagger up
Out of the sea to rise on legs
And tear into the side
Of a loping gazelle,
Thinks Man and witnesses
The armies of trees and
Every nation of beast and
The wide furious ocean
And the epochs of rock
Tremble.
Thanks for sharing this poem from our US Poet Laureate! Some powerful poems in this book… even wading waters can drown you.
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I imagine the anthology is powerful, Fats, as is this poem. Much to ponder about with that one word “tremble”. Thanks for sharing. It’s a new anthology to me.
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Great sampling of powerful words. Love the Princess Mononoke art.
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I hope to see Tracy Smith at the National Book Festival next weekend. Thanks for sharing a sample of her work.
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It’s one thing for a tiger to take a gazelle for survival, but the domination of “Man” is scary on a whole different level. Tremble, indeed.
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Wow. That is a powerful poem. Thank you for sharing it.
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I am intrigued by the image and the poem. Thank you for introducing us to this anthology!
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I think we’ve provided way too much to “tremble” from–thanks for sharing this powerful poem Fats!
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