Watch Your Language
Visual and Literary Reflections on a Century of American Poetry
1 of 1 copy available
“Hayes [is] one of the best and most important poets now writing.” —Craig Morgan Teicher, Poetry
From the National Book Award–winning author of Lighthead, Terrance Hayes, a fascinating collection of graphic reviews and illustrated prose addressing the last century of American poetry—to be published simultaneously with his latest poetry collection, So to Speak
Canonized, overlooked, and forgotten African American poets star in Terrance Hayes's brilliant contemplations of personal, canonical, and allegorical literary development. Proceeding from Toni Morrison's aim to expand the landscape of literary imagination in Playing in the Dark ("I want to draw a map, so to speak, of a critical geography"), Watch Your Language charts a lyrical geography of reading and influence in poetry. Illustrated micro-essays, graphic book reviews, biographical prose poems, and nonfiction sketches make reading an imaginative and critical act of watching your language. Hayes has made a kind of poetic guidebook with more questions than answers. "If you don't see suffering's potential as art, will it remain suffering?" he asks in one of the lively mock poetry exam questions of this musing, mercurial collection. Hayes's astonishing drawings and essays literally and figuratively map the acclaimed poet's routes, roots, and wanderings through the landscape of contemporary poetry.
-
Creators
-
Publisher
-
Release date
July 18, 2023 -
Formats
-
Kindle Book
-
OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9780593511855
-
EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9780593511855
- File size: 94204 KB
-
-
Languages
- English
-
Reviews
-
March 1, 2023
In Watch Your Language, National Book Award-winning poet Hayes uses illustrated prose to discuss a century of verse, drawing in forgotten Black poets; see also his forthcoming collectionSo To Speak (Penguin Poets, Jul.). Prepub Alert.
Copyright 2023 Library Journal
Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
-
June 1, 2023
Devised as a companion piece to the author's 2023 poetry collection, So to Speak (see p.16), this assemblage of book criticism (and autobiography seeks to map "a landscape of literary, cultural, and personal influence" through the uniquely "lifesaving, telepathic capacity of poetry." Hayes traces his own canon of influential writers and lyricists, many of whom will be familiar to most, including Gwendolyn Brooks, Lucille Clifton, and Sonia Sanchez, but just as many are lesser known, such as Joel Dias-Porter, Ces�ria �vora, and Tim Seibles. A freewheeling work of creative originality, the text includes hand-drawn illustrations, pages that appear to be photocopied from textbooks, provocative prompts ("How Many of Your Muses Rest in Peace?"), and such inventions as the Renegade Poetic Fortune-Telling Machine, cobbled together from "a Cape Verdean's Volkswagen, miles and miles of speaker wire, an old-school slot machine, and a casino stool with a plush seat cushion." Equal parts zine, poetic bibliography, and interior atlas to Hayes' literary inheritance, this imaginative undertaking will intrigue aficionados of the author's expanding oeuvre and anyone looking for artistic inspiration.COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
-
October 27, 2023
Poet Hayes (Lighthead), winner of the 2010 National Book Award for Poetry, collates a broad range of essays, poems, poet biopics, illustrated expressions, and musings on the poetic landscape. Hayes discusses American poets from the 19th century through the contemporary age. His experiences and reflections take readers around the world, including to the Shanghai International Poetry Festival and to a poetry seminar in Pennsylvania. Intermixed throughout are the author's poems. Hayes can be comically insightful, noting that America's poetry traditions are begat by a private eccentric (Emily Dickinson) and a public eccentric (Walt Whitman). The discussions include musings on modernism, jazz, race, poetic mechanics, language, and poetry history, among other topics. Hayes presents questions for the reader, making this book a good selection for group discussions. The essays range from a few pages to 10. Biopics include short sketches of Margaret Danner, Bob Kaufman, Raymond Patterson, and other poets. Readers can easily jump here and there through the book, finding discussions that are interesting and insightful. VERDICT Hayes successfully provides a multidimensional work that serves as an outline of American poetry history, a reflection on a poet's life, and a thoughtful discussion guide for groups or classes.--Jeffrey Meyer
Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
-
March 1, 2024
In a remarkable literary endeavor, Hayes has woven an enthralling journey encapsulating poetry, essays, reviews, and sketches, skillfully crafting a tapestry that displays aspects of his own life. With an astute curator's eye, he navigates diverse themes, including race, language, freedom, and history, presenting entries ranging from concise one-page musings to more elaborate 10-page explorations. This meticulous compilation not only showcases the author's creative prowess but also beckons readers into a realm of critical thinking. Additionally, Hayes draws upon the works of renowned poets such as Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, and Gwendolyn Brooks. These literary giants act as guideposts, framing the discussion and facilitating an introduction to the works of other authors. This is a nuanced guidebook to the intricate landscape of poetry. What sets this collection apart is the author's engagement with readers through evocative sketches and creative elements, enriching the textual experience. Each entry is a thoughtful exploration that invites readers into a world of introspection and contemplation. VERDICT This book serves as a beacon for teenagers seeking an introduction to the art of poetry and is also a profound insight into the complexities of life.-Jessica Calaway
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
-