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A review by maryehavens
American Journal: Fifty Poems for Our Time by Tracy K. Smith
5.0
Required for my Beginning Creative Writing Class: poetry focus.
My favorites included:
"Sugar and Brine: Ella's Understanding" by Vievee Francis because I could taste the sweet syrup on that ham biscuit. Yum.
"Girls Overheard While Assembling a Puzzle" by Mary Szybist because it reminded me of work when the patrons would gather in between classes and work on puzzles at work and because it took the ordinary task of putting a puzzle together and made it seem magical.
"The Poet at Fifteen" by Erika L. Sanchez because you felt like you were in that hospital with her and could understand how she got there and feel her parent's confusion and heartbreak. I chose Sanchez for a larger poetry analysis because of this poem and it pushed me in ways I would not have chosen but made me a better reader.
"Charlottesville Nocture" by Charles Wright for the incredible Southern night time imagery.
"Who's Who" by Cathy Park Hong because it slapped so hard at the end that I had to turn around and read it all the way over again to really get and appreciate it.
"The Long Deployment" by Jehanne Dubrow because of the incredible heartbreak and longing in it.
"38" by Layli Long Soldier because it was the most incredibly unique poem I've read in a long, long time. It was like reading a history paper with the right amount of emotion without being sentimental and pushing you just the right amount.
"For the Last American Buffalo" by Steve Scafidi for the imagery as well.
Great collection of modern poets - highly recommend.
My favorites included:
"Sugar and Brine: Ella's Understanding" by Vievee Francis because I could taste the sweet syrup on that ham biscuit. Yum.
"Girls Overheard While Assembling a Puzzle" by Mary Szybist because it reminded me of work when the patrons would gather in between classes and work on puzzles at work and because it took the ordinary task of putting a puzzle together and made it seem magical.
"The Poet at Fifteen" by Erika L. Sanchez because you felt like you were in that hospital with her and could understand how she got there and feel her parent's confusion and heartbreak. I chose Sanchez for a larger poetry analysis because of this poem and it pushed me in ways I would not have chosen but made me a better reader.
"Charlottesville Nocture" by Charles Wright for the incredible Southern night time imagery.
"Who's Who" by Cathy Park Hong because it slapped so hard at the end that I had to turn around and read it all the way over again to really get and appreciate it.
"The Long Deployment" by Jehanne Dubrow because of the incredible heartbreak and longing in it.
"38" by Layli Long Soldier because it was the most incredibly unique poem I've read in a long, long time. It was like reading a history paper with the right amount of emotion without being sentimental and pushing you just the right amount.
"For the Last American Buffalo" by Steve Scafidi for the imagery as well.
Great collection of modern poets - highly recommend.