American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin Review

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Mar 10, 2018 Roxane rated it really liked it

Each of the 70 sonnets in this collection share the same title, which is an interesting conceit. The championship becomes a refrain from one poem to the adjacent. It is worth noting that all these poems were written after Trump's election, and they speak well to the current cultural moment as we grapple with race and racism, state sanctioned violence, a puppet president and trying to alive our lives despite the contretemps. There are killer lines throughout just I keep coming back to the beginning lines of one o Each of the 70 sonnets in this drove share the same title, which is an interesting conceit. The title becomes a refrain from one verse form to the next. It is worth noting that all these poems were written afterward Trump's election, and they speak well to the current cultural moment every bit we grapple with race and racism, state sanctioned violence, a puppet president and trying to alive our lives despite the contretemps. There are killer lines throughout but I keep coming back to the beginning lines of one of the sonnets--Probably twilight makes blackness unsafe/Darkness. Probably all my encounters/Are existential jambalaya. ...more than

Jul fifteen, 2018 Michael rated it really liked it

Written in the wake of Trump's takeover of the presidency, American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassinator is a drove of seventy sonnets that address racialized terror and violence, the resurgence of white supremacy in American politics, the cultural retentiveness of Blackness activism and protest, police brutality and state-sanctioned violence, and the question of how to maintain hope in the face of overwhelming despair. Hayes' images are articulate-cut and captivating, his phrasing rhythmic and dynamic. Written in the wake of Trump's takeover of the presidency, American Sonnets for My Past and Hereafter Assassin is a collection of seventy sonnets that address racialized terror and violence, the resurgence of white supremacy in American politics, the cultural retention of Black activism and protest, police brutality and state-sanctioned violence, and the question of how to maintain hope in the face of overwhelming despair. Hayes' images are clear-cutting and captivating, his phrasing rhythmic and dynamic. Within the boundaries of each sonnet'south fourteen lines, his linguistic communication takes many inventive and unexpected turns. ...more

Jun 27, 2018 Joe Kraus rated information technology information technology was astonishing

OK, you take to start with the title here.

Even if you aren't a poetry person, yous take to be struck by it. It sounds as if it's making sense even though information technology tin can't exist truthful at whatever literal level; you lot can't have more than one assassin, merely the grammer coheres. And so, in that verbal ambiguity, new possibilities arise: "assassin" is metaphorical, and "my" refers not just to ane person but to many occupying the same position.

The book turns out to exist an interrogation of those possibilities while also pro

OK, you have to start with the title hither.

Even if you aren't a verse person, you take to be struck by it. It sounds equally if it'south making sense even though it can't be true at any literal level; y'all can't take more than than one assassinator, simply the grammar coheres. And so, in that exact ambiguity, new possibilities arise: "assassin" is metaphorical, and "my" refers non just to 1 person but to many occupying the same position.

The volume turns out to be an interrogation of those possibilities while also probing the nature of "sonnets." Information technology'south aroused, thoughtful, committed to a projection of self-betterment, and total of images and turns of phrase that do remarkable things, things like the championship of the volume which as well serves (in the atypical) as the title for each of the divide 50-or-so poems here.

I think at that place are a handful of these that work less well – a few are besides gimmicky for my sense of taste ("You don't seem to want it" or "I cutting myself on some glass") and some seem a niggling also repetitive of the motifs that Hayes weaves throughout (like the "male hysteria" conceit") – but even those tend to exist redeemed past the cumulative power of the projection. Many more are flat-out excellent while most of the "ordinary" ones are also constructive and compelling. The result is that even those rare misfires function as office of a drove. In fact, I come somewhen to wonder if they aren't ultimately impressive as well, kind of like the squawks in a Coltrane solo – not then much errors as reminders of the technical brilliance information technology takes to pull off jazz at that level.

This is very much a jazz collection. The purist in me protested when I first realized these "sonnets" are neither metrical nor rhymed. I got over that complaint about 12 lines into the first i, though. Hayes has intuited the rhythm of the sonnet then seen how far he can stretch it.

Here'due south one case from my expanding list of groovy poems here:

Sometimes the father most sees looking
At the son, how handsome he'd be if half
His own face was made of the adult female he loved.
He about sees in his male child's face, an openness
Like a wound before it scars, who he was
Long before his name was lost, the trail
To his future on earth long before he arrived.
To be expressionless and live at the same fourth dimension.
A son finds his father handsome because
The son can almost see how he might
Become superb as the scar above a wound.
And because the son tin see who he was
Long earlier he had a proper noun, the trace of
His future on world long before he arrived.

I'k struck by how that really is sonnet-similar, non only in its layout but in its laying out of contrast. The outset viii lines give us what I think is a gorgeous reflection on a begetter seeing a son and loving him for being shaped by the woman he loves, and so the final six reverse that, looking from the son to the father.

That's enough to brand me say wow, but Hayes is full of other fantabulous ones. Consider these lines from "From now on I will do my laundry early on Dominicus: "I believe/ Eurydice is actually the poet, non Orpheus. Her muse/ Has his dorsum to her with his ear bent to his own heart./ Every bit if what y'all larn making dearest to yourself matters/ More than what you lot learn when loving someone else."

Or consider from "Our sermon today…", "When the wound/ Is deep, the healing is heroic. Suffering and/ Ascendance require the same work. Our sermon/ Today sets the beauty of sin against the purity of clay." As with the book'due south title, I am both bewildered by such linguistic communication and drawn to it, fatigued past its clarity of expression to find the ambiguity beneath it.

Or from "The field of study is allowed…", "What if it were possible to make a noise then lovely/ People would pay to hear it continuously for a century/ Or so. Unbelievably, Miles Davis and John Coltrane/ Standing within inches of each other didn't explode."

Or the first 1, the i that convinced me to buy this and that points so forcefully to the nature of ambiguity at the middle of the collection, "Orpheus was solitary when he invented writing./ His manic cartoon became a kind of writing when he sent/ His beloved a sketch of an heart with an X struck through it./ He meant I am blind without you. She idea he meant/ I never want to see you once again. It is possible he meant that, too."

I've said all of that without touching on the political. I've heard this i referred to as one of the first great literary works to grapple with what the Trump moment means. That's truthful in part since many of these address not just African-American history but also, implicitly, the Afro-pessimism that's taking root in then much contemporary literature. One poem even seems to mention Trump by proper name – the not-as-constructive-as-my-favorites "I pour a compression of serious toxicant" – just I recall, in the end, our current moment is incidental.

This is really what jazz has ever been: an improvisation that insist a single moment can brand sense of everything we imagine of both "earlier this moment" and "after." This is angry and cute, and it speaks to poets and poems who've helped shape its voice, but it'south ultimately something similar Coltrane at his best. Information technology's an artist spilling information technology all out and finding, against all odds, that it holds together.

...more

Sep 20, 2018 Brown Daughter Reading rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Poesy lovers

When I heard about the release of this American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin, I knew I had to read it. I don't often read poetry but when I exercise it'south because I'm sure the collection is going to motility me. https://browngirlreading.com/2018/09/... When I heard nearly the release of this American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin, I knew I had to read information technology. I don't ofttimes read poetry just when I exercise it's considering I'm certain the collection is going to move me. https://browngirlreading.com/2018/09/... ...more

Jan 30, 2019 Laure rated it liked it

I'm in 2 minds about this poetry output. There are some incredibly good poems in there, very powerful, creative, difficult hitting. However, I observe quite a few poems not meeting the aforementioned exacting standards and weaker in comparison. I similar the flow, the ideas, the images (Dylanesque in some ways), but the syntax ends upwards looking samey. There seems to be an overuse of the same rhetorical tropes: obvious repetitions, lists, alliterations, connectors. I am sure this is all meant to be, but in my mind it I'm in ii minds about this poetry output. In that location are some incredibly good poems in in that location, very powerful, creative, hard hitting. Nonetheless, I find quite a few poems not meeting the same exacting standards and weaker in comparison. I like the period, the ideas, the images (Dylanesque in some ways), just the syntax ends up looking samey. At that place seems to exist an overuse of the same rhetorical tropes: obvious repetitions, lists, alliterations, connectors. I am sure this is all meant to exist, just in my mind it flattens sentences out of their power instead of strengthening their core.
I would nevertheless recommend the read, some of the poems are unforgettable. ...more than

Aug 05, 2019 Ken rated it information technology was amazing

The Assassin walks among usa. He's on the front folio of the newspaper with some regularity. These xiv-liners offer a healthy mix of Hayes' talent with sound devices and imagery with the political, gloves off and taking no prisoners.

I read it at the same fourth dimension as Jericho Brown's The Tradition and included a sample verse form from each book on my website. To read ane or both, if you lot're interested in one or both, you tin can follow this yellow brick route.

The Assassin walks among us. He's on the front page of the newspaper with some regularity. These xiv-liners offering a healthy mix of Hayes' talent with sound devices and imagery with the political, gloves off and taking no prisoners.

I read information technology at the aforementioned time equally Jericho Brown's The Tradition and included a sample poem from each book on my website. To read i or both, if you lot're interested in ane or both, you can follow this yellow brick road.

...more

Sep xi, 2018 Jenna rated information technology actually liked it

In any given twelvemonth, at that place seems to be ane poesy collection that everybody is abuzz about. This year, that "It" volume is almost certainly Terrance Hayes'southward American Sonnets for My Past and Time to come Assassin, a collection of 70 nontraditional fourteen-liners mainly focused on the subjects of race and racism in Trump-era America, livened past copious, jazzily irregular internal rhymes, wordplay, complimentary association, a bounteous sense of humour, and a host of pop-civilisation references (Hayes seems besides-versed In any given year, there seems to exist ane poetry collection that everybody is abuzz nearly. This yr, that "Information technology" book is almost certainly Terrance Hayes'southward American Sonnets for My Past and Futurity Assassinator, a collection of 70 nontraditional 14-liners mainly focused on the subjects of race and racism in Trump-era America, livened by copious, jazzily irregular internal rhymes, wordplay, gratuitous association, a bounteous sense of humor, and a host of pop-culture references (Hayes seems every bit well-versed in -- and equally passionate about -- the fantasy world of Doctor Who as he is about James Baldwin and Amiri Baraka). At that place's a winsome immediacy and downwardly-to-earthness to the language: Hayes doesn't take himself overly seriously, talking about Nina Simone'due south greatness in one sentence and his own earwax in the next. The poems look backward by nodding to the fourth dimension-tested sonnet form, yep, but they also wait forward -- one poem speculating about the social media platforms of the hereafter even winkingly contains a hyperlink.

In addition to race, gender is also a recurring theme. One poem, seemingly written in the #metoo climate, grapples honestly with what to brand of the sexual harassment allegations against tardily poet Derek Walcott. Elsewhere, Hayes casually reflects that Sylvia Plath probably wasn't much fun to be effectually, being a "drama queen, thin-skinned / And skittery," but in that location is no malice or manlike posturing to the observation. In another poem, Hayes muses on Emily Dickinson'due south sexuality, envisioning the genius poet "Whispering lonely dark lullabies to Death," merely somehow the way he goes about it isn't creepy the way Billy Collins'due south "Taking Off Emily Dickinson's Wearing apparel" is, maybe considering the poems that environment this one tend to subvert traditional conceptions of masculinity:

my mother here she is the crazy bitch
In me she the way I weep she the fashion I break she manly
Manly Trumpeter I tin can't speak for you just men like me
Who have never made beloved to a man will ever exist
Somewhere in the folds of our loving ashamed of information technology

Here are some quotes I underlined:

"my natural language
Which is like the head of a turtle wearing my skull for a crush"

"If you lot can
Requite the world one-half what Nina Simone gave it,
Yous will accept lived an exceptional life." (That line suspension after "If you tin" is one of the all-time uses of a transformative line interruption that I have always seen in my life)

"Assassin, you lot are a mystery
To me, I say to my reflection sometimes.
You are beautiful because of your sadness, but
Y'all would be more cute without your fear."

And hither are some quotes more explicitly near race in America:

"This country is mine as much as an orphan'south house is his."

"I go on thinking
I'm confessing for the first time, the reason I fear you,
And you keep request why I'thou telling this quondam story again."

"In this we may be alike, Assassin, you lot & me: nosotros believe
We desire what'southward best for humanity."

A poem that begins "A remix of 'Pony' by Ginuwine plays...." is one of the well-nigh nuanced and interesting takes on the subject area of cultural appropriation I've come up across; a poem that begins "Sometimes the begetter almost sees looking / At the son, how handsome he'd be if half / His own face was fabricated of the woman he loved...." is merely a flat-out gorgeous, timeless sonnet, flow.

...more

Sep 25, 2020 Jonfaith rated it it was amazing

Just there never was a black male hysteria

It has been a great fortune in the bleak yr of 2020 to discover Morgan Parker, Audre Lorde and now Terrance Hayes. This collection is much more a thinking/associative project than either thos eof Morgan Parker or Jericho Dark-brown. This is a pause and consider more than a palpable moment or ten 2nd news clip. I was blindsided and especially in the sonnet form, it was a mesmerizing feel.

I make you both gym & crow here.

That is non glibness only a gla

But at that place never was a black male hysteria

It has been a great fortune in the bleak yr of 2020 to find Morgan Parker, Audre Lorde and at present Terrance Hayes. This collection is much more a thinking/associative project than either thos eof Morgan Parker or Jericho Brown. This is a pause and consider more than a palpable moment or 10 second news prune. I was blindsided and especially in the sonnet form, it was a mesmerizing feel.

I brand you both gym & crow here.

That is not glibness but a glance at how vanity and gossip obscure. Call me a believer and more of Mr. Hayes is in order.

...more

Sep 20, 2018 Jerrie rated it actually liked it

From this yr's NBA longlist for poetry comes another dandy collection from Terrance Hayes. This collection is a series of sonnets looking at a culture that continues to let racially-motivated killing of black Americans to occur. There is both an anger and a sadness evident in these poems, forth with a defiance confronting accepting the status quo.

Dec 27, 2018 James Irish potato rated it it was astonishing

This is poetry about poetry and how to sing it.
Information technology's most love as conservancy.
It's well-nigh race, and it's virtually the anxious times we live in.
It'south virtually how to dance out of the way of the assassins in our lives.
I remember information technology's poetry that lives up to everything I'd heard about it.
Information technology's impressive. This is poetry about verse and how to sing it.
It'southward most love as salvation.
It's nigh race, and it's about the anxious times we live in.
It's about how to trip the light fantastic out of the way of the assassins in our lives.
I remember it'south poetry that lives upwards to everything I'd heard well-nigh it.
It'southward impressive. ...more than

Jul 01, 2019 Ellie rated information technology really liked it

Terrance Hayes is a very talented poet. This book has many outstanding poems with bright lines and insights. It is, like so many books of poetry I've read lately, a combination of commentary on racism in the United States and its personal bear upon on the poet also every bit more purely personal poems. Hayes often makes use of established forms to comprise his more experimental poems. Here he uses the very traditional grade of the sonnet. His poems don't generally rhyme but some of them are similar rap s Terrance Hayes is a very talented poet. This volume has many outstanding poems with brilliant lines and insights. It is, like so many books of poetry I've read lately, a combination of commentary on racism in the The states and its personal impact on the poet as well equally more purely personal poems. Hayes often makes use of established forms to contain his more experimental poems. Hither he uses the very traditional form of the sonnet. His poems don't more often than not rhyme just some of them are like rap songs, with a quick tempo and filled with riffs on words.

I found this collection to exist a little uneven in quality but with and then many breathtaking poems or sections inside poems that information technology is well worth reading.

...more

Feb 24, 2021 Kathleen rated information technology really liked information technology

"I mean to leave a record of my raptures"

70 14-line poems, all with the same championship, all in the aforementioned fashion. You would recall information technology would get tedious. Well recollect once again.

The poems in this drove are searing and lightheaded and strange. Poetry tin can be and then immediate and visceral when it's personal. Just that tin can mean not everyone will get it. I didn't get some of these, but that'due south okay. I'd rather read abrupt lines I don't sympathize than watered-down ones that I practise. These poems made me wonder; made me envision

"I mean to exit a tape of my raptures"

70 fourteen-line poems, all with the same title, all in the same fashion. Y'all would think it would become tiresome. Well call up again.

The poems in this collection are searing and silly and strange. Poesy can be and then firsthand and visceral when information technology's personal. But that can mean not everyone will go it. I didn't get some of these, just that's okay. I'd rather read sharp lines I don't empathize than watered-down ones that I do. These poems fabricated me wonder; made me envision new things.

I knew I was going to dearest these from the 2nd poem that begins, "Inside me is a blackness-eyed animal," with this prototype that keeps knocking around in my head:
"Equally if the clatter of a 1000 black
Birds whipping in a storm could be held
In a trounce."

The poem showtime "Seven of the ten things I dearest in the confront of James Baldwin" celebrates a worthy face indeed, only the details Hayes pulls out are extraordinary.
"The dimple in his mentum
Narrows & expands similar a pupil."

There is just so much beautiful and surprising stuff hither. Terrence Hayes will remind you of the awesome power of words.

"a silver natural language in the war nosotros wage against death"

...more than

I try to read some new verse every year, and in the by couple of years have been blown away past work past Saeed Jones and Clint Smith. This covers some similar ground in terms of its exploration of race, sexuality, and masculinity in the gimmicky US. But for me at least it didn't take the same excitement and clarity. I don't know if information technology was the sonnet course or the content (which was somewhat repetitive), or what. In any instance, clearly these poems take spoken to many other readers.

"Probably, ghosts are allergic to us. Our uproarious / Breathing & ruckus. Our eruptions, our disregard / For dust. Small worlds unwhirl in the corners of homes / After death" (22).

Somewhere between 3.5 and iv stars. I'k so glad this exists and can certainly appreciate the mastery involved in crafting these sonnets. They're almost encyclopedic in scope. I wasn't consistently fatigued in, but the sonnets that do stand out are truly exceptional. I would have loved to read this in a form setting becau

"Probably, ghosts are allergic to us. Our uproarious / Breathing & ruckus. Our eruptions, our condone / For dust. Modest worlds unwhirl in the corners of homes / Later death" (22).

Somewhere betwixt three.5 and 4 stars. I'm then glad this exists and can certainly appreciate the mastery involved in crafting these sonnets. They're almost encyclopedic in telescopic. I wasn't consistently drawn in, just the sonnets that do stand out are truly exceptional. I would have loved to read this in a class setting because I remember I would grow more than fond of the book through discussion.

...more

February 06, 2020 Angela rated it really liked it

Continuing my quest to explore modern verse -- once again, I am not well versed plenty to review poetry very well so keep that in mind.

There are a lot of really striking pieces with amazing lines only a few were riffs that sounded about ad-libbed and went way over my head. Overall the potent pieces way outweighed the disruptive (to me) ones. I very much enjoyed the audio version, narrated by the poet, and beingness swept up in the rhythm.

Apr 25, 2019 Adri rated it really liked it

4.five/5 Stars

Such an amazing concept and a clever, enthralling use of a poetic class that tin can often seem blowsy or irrelevant in a modern context. Each piece feels alive on the page, and the restrictions of the form somehow manage to make style for some incredibly provoking lines.

I'k not sure why this drove didn't really work for me. I think if I were a well-read poetry appreciator I could ameliorate run across how Hayes is working with the sonnet form. I liked a lot of the poems in general, at that place were a lot of striking lines. Merely I often plant the phrasing difficult to empathise or disliked some of the imagery. (Anything sexual in verse mostly leaves me common cold, no thing the poet.) I'm not sure why this collection didn't really work for me. I think if I were a well-read poetry appreciator I could ameliorate run across how Hayes is working with the sonnet class. I liked a lot of the poems in general, at that place were a lot of striking lines. But I oft establish the phrasing difficult to understand or disliked some of the imagery. (Anything sexual in poetry mostly leaves me cold, no affair the poet.) ...more

Jan 07, 2022 Sarah Peecher rated information technology really liked it

This collection was nicely, tightly woven together. While information technology mainly addressed issues within certain years of the near past, many poems extended into thoughts on the past and time to come (of form) every bit well. Many of the poems as well truly sing in an exploration of language as music.

"Information technology's non the bad people who are brave / I fear, information technology'south the good people who are agape."

Jan 18, 2019 Margot rated it it was amazing

100% worth the hype. I'm glad to kicking off my 2019 with this one. 100% worth the hype. I'm glad to kick off my 2019 with this 1. ...more

Mar xix, 2021 Lynn rated it it was astonishing

I honestly can't say when I started reading this. I read a few poems each day or every few days.
I dearest Hayes and this volume is a mix of brutal honesty, word play, politics, and joy.
I read a few of these poems in the New Yorker and I really like the project he has going in this book.
Highly recommend! I honestly can't say when I started reading this. I read a few poems each twenty-four hours or every few days.
I honey Hayes and this book is a mix of brutal honesty, discussion play, politics, and joy.
I read a few of these poems in the New Yorker and I really similar the project he has going in this volume.
Highly recommend! ...more

Dec 31, 2018 Kevin rated it liked it

Like the fourteen song album that would be discernibly better if trimmed to ten songs, this collection is flabby. The index of first lines reads like some of the weaker poems (I didn't know I had crossed over into the alphabetize). More of a 3.5 for me, slap-up moments in hither, only besides many i draft poems, overly bardic turns ("deep"=Rilke/Neruda/Lorca reference), and lazy phonic riffs ("horror & hoorah" are like sounding, so let's stack them). There's also a tendency to coast on some questionable semantic Like the fourteen song album that would be discernibly improve if trimmed to 10 songs, this collection is flabby. The alphabetize of first lines reads like some of the weaker poems (I didn't know I had crossed over into the index). More of a 3.5 for me, great moments in here, merely too many one typhoon poems, overly bardic turns ("deep"=Rilke/Neruda/Lorca reference), and lazy phonic riffs ("horror & hoorah" are similar sounding, so let's stack them). There's also a trend to coast on some questionable semantic/philosophical questions [The orchid'southward/Mouth is the shade of pussy"]. I am not dauntless enough to tell anyone that pussy comes in one shade. The black male person hysteria poems would be better served in a short chapbook, consolidating their power. Too many accolades and you run the risk of losing your perfect pitch. Merely the highs are loftier: "Unbelievably, Miles Davis & John Coltrane / Standing within inches of each other didn't explode". Nifty poet, but a stop gap collection. ...more

Jul 10, 2019 Marilyn rated it information technology was amazing

I pondered on whether to give AMERICAN SONNETS FOR MY PAST AND Futurity ASSASSIN past Terrance Hayes iv stars or 5 stars. It is awesome, creative, pondering, sometimes lamentable, sometimes funny, political, deeply homo, insightful (fifty-fifty inciteful, having been written during the showtime 200 days of the current United states of america assistants in DC). It was nominated for the 2018 National Book Award for poesy and shortlisted for the T.Due south. Eliot Prize for the same twelvemonth. I discovered it while looking for a book to encounter Goodr I pondered on whether to give AMERICAN SONNETS FOR MY PAST AND FUTURE ASSASSIN by Terrance Hayes four stars or 5 stars. Information technology is awesome, creative, pondering, sometimes sad, sometimes funny, political, deeply human, insightful (even inciteful, having been written during the first 200 days of the current U.s.a. administration in DC). It was nominated for the 2018 National Book Honour for poetry and shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize for the same year. I discovered it while looking for a volume to encounter Goodreads' "Around the Year in 52 Books" Group Claiming #41, "A book from the 2018 GR Option Awards." All exceptional honors, tributes to the man's obvious excellence with words. But.

Considering the definition for GR's ratings are based on how The Reader felt virtually the volume - 4-stars divers equally "actually liked it" and five-stars as "it was amazing" - then I had to hesitate. Surely Hayes' lxx poems were well across "really liked" for me. Sometimes my jaw merely dropped at the beauty of his words, his metaphors, his images; how he wound our mod political, racial, misogynistic, anti-democracy regime into a classical poetic form, with the rough texture of by images or events (slavery, George Wallace, MLK, and more) and the underlying painful truth that, yep, he very well might be "assassinated" some day because he is a Black human being, a resister-persister poet who speaks his mind in verse - or simply because he IS a Black man who could happen to find himself innocently in the wrong identify at the wrong time confronted past the wrong (murderous) people. Despite being written during those early days of the current federal administration in our country, information technology holds little (if anything) back.

Each of the 70 poems in the slim volume has the same title, always in capital letters: "AMERICAN SONNET FOR MY By AND Time to come ASSASSIN." I was hooked on the book with its first poem, in which Hayes disagrees with what "the black poet would love to say his century began / With... " Then he tells us, "...just actually / Information technology began with all the poesy weirdos & worriers, warriors, / Poetry whiners & winos falling from the ship bows, sunset / Bridges & windows..." He further says, "In a second I'll tell yous how picayune / Writing rescues. My hunch is that Sylvia Plath was not / Especially fun company. A drama queen, thin skinned, / and skittery, she thought her poems were just ordinary..." That comment fabricated me laugh at beginning, and then sadden. And here'south Hayes' thought-provoking follow-up to the afore-mentioned lines (which made me decide that this poem has to become a "prompt" for my women's writing group) - he asks this question: "What do yous phone call a visionary who does not recognize / Her vision?..." I read this poem while sipping a chai latte in the Barnes & Noble café, a stack of potential book purchases in front of me - and its last lines (which I am non including in this review - check it out yourself!) clinched its sale for me over at least 5 or 6 other tomes!

So was I going to only allot 4 stars in this review? Nope. I thought about how iv ane/two stars would've been nice, if doable (not), since my qualms were only nigh how I didn't "become" some of the deeper issues, not being familiar with many of the names in the American story he was plainly telling, ane of "the Other American Stories" that many of our land'south and so-called leaders do not want to acknowledge as worthy of equal and man rights. And the thing almost poesy is that you don't have to "go it" to capeesh its beauty and value. There's a tone to a well-written verse form, a rhythm that makes one pay attention [aye, even in gratis verse!]. Yous can "look up" some of the words or names later on, if you lot like, but it's often best to generally flow along with the words, trying to feel the writer'southward sorrow, joy, agony, acrimony, worries, whatsoever due south/he is trying to express... which is why I have given Terrance Hayes' AMERICAN SONNETS FOR MY By AND FUTURE ASSASSIN a 5-star rating. Considering 4-i/2 wasn't enough; because on the 2d reading I'd merely be upping it to the full five! Considering it IS amazing.

...more

Jan 01, 2020 Marc rated it really liked it

Raw. Inventive. Playful. Vulnerable.

If we wrote sonnets to all our assassins, we might reform them in time to save ourselves. The problem with most assassins is that they and so seldom self-identify. Only you know they have to operate nether certain systems/structures. Indeed, they are no more free than whatsoever other member of club. Their role is to kill you. I doubtfulness they similar poesy.

I had suspected that Hayes was doing some innovative work with the form of the sonnet, but this article explores that ou

Raw. Inventive. Playful. Vulnerable.

If nosotros wrote sonnets to all our assassins, we might reform them in time to save ourselves. The problem with virtually assassins is that they so seldom self-identify. Merely you know they take to operate under certain systems/structures. Indeed, they are no more than gratis than any other fellow member of society. Their role is to kill you. I doubt they like poetry.

I had suspected that Hayes was doing some innovative piece of work with the form of the sonnet, but this article explores that out more effectively than anything I take to add or was able to actually grasp (mine was more a gut feeling than any sort or analysis). Just it'due south his language that is probable to grab you lot more than any structure (traditional or otherwise). I'll let him speak for himself... (see below for a few favorites or click this link to hear him read from this book).
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Note: Every poem in this collection is titled "American Sonnet for My By & Future Assassin"
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Probably twilight makes blackness dangerous
Darkness. Probably all my encounters
Are existential jambalaya. Which is to say,
A nigga can survive. Something happened
In Sanford, something happened in Ferguson
And Brooklyn & Charleston, something happened
In Chicago & Cleveland & Baltimore & happens
Almost everywhere in this country every day.
Probably someone is casualty in all of our encounters.
You won't admit it. The names alive are similar the names
In graves. Probably twilight makes blackness
Darkness. And a gate. Probably the nighttime bluish skin
Of a blackness human being matches the dark bluish skin
Of his son the style i twilight matches another.
------------------------------------------------
Something in the metaphor of the bow
Which is never shut plenty to see the arrow
Hit its marking. I remain a mystery to my begetter.
My male parent remains a mystery to me.
Christianity is a religion built around a begetter
Who does not rescue his son. It is the story
Of a s son whose begetter is a ghost. No one
Mentions Jesus' sister. Nada is written
Nigh her. She had no children, she was in her
Forties the first fourth dimension she turned water into vino.
A late bloomer, she began a pocket-sized vino business organisation
And traveled all over the world selling the vino.
Her name was the name of the wine,
I don't recall the name of the wine.
------------------------------------------------
The vocal must be cultural, confessional, clear
But not obvious. It must be full of pity
And crows bowing in a vulture's shadow.
The song must have 6 sides to it & a clamor
Of volts. The song must turn on the compass
Of linguistic communication similar a tangle of wire endowed
With feeling. The notes must tear & tear,
In that location must exist a love for the minute & minute,
There must exist a tape of witness & daydream.
Where the heart is torn or feathered & tarred,
Where death is undone, time macerated,
The song must hold its own storm & pulsate,
And shed a noise so lovely information technology is sung at dusk
Weddings, baptisms & beheadings henceforth.

...more

Jun 11, 2020 Alex Johnson rated it it was amazing

After reading this, tin I tell y'all what an American sonnet is? No. Can I tell you that Terrance Hayes is a chief of them? Yeah.

Throughout American Sonnets for my Past and Future Assassin, Hayes creates these piddling poem worlds. They often take a 1-ii gut dial at the end, driving me to loop back to the beginning and read information technology again. Sometimes I felt similar the Assassin was whiteness, was the police force, was me, was Hayes himself; I don't know. But the violence in these poems for me felt similar they laid ba

Afterward reading this, can I tell y'all what an American sonnet is? No. Can I tell you that Terrance Hayes is a chief of them? Yes.

Throughout American Sonnets for my Past and Futurity Assassin, Hayes creates these petty poem worlds. They often have a 1-two gut punch at the cease, driving me to loop back to the beginning and read it again. Sometimes I felt similar the Assassin was whiteness, was the police, was me, was Hayes himself; I don't know. But the violence in these poems for me felt similar they laid bare the violence inherited by Blackness people in the United States.

I didn't expect to dearest this as much every bit I did. It'due south a deceptively complex collection—the language of the sonnets strive to be unproblematic and frequently are. This'll be a book I revisit.

...more

Jul 05, 2018 Samantha rated it information technology was amazing

Similar many poetry readers, I've been anticipating this drove for a while. Written during the first several months of the Trump administration, these sonnets fall in conversation with each other because of their shared championship, rhythms, and repeated phrases ("But there was never a black male person hysteria") and they besides encompass the whole thought catalog of reactions post-obit the 2016 election. There is a line in every poem hither that will cut you, simply for all the anguish and despair, there's as well Similar many poetry readers, I've been anticipating this collection for a while. Written during the starting time several months of the Trump administration, these sonnets fall in conversation with each other because of their shared title, rhythms, and repeated phrases ("Just at that place was never a black male hysteria") and they besides comprehend the whole thought itemize of reactions following the 2016 ballot. At that place is a line in every poem here that will cut you, simply for all the anguish and despair, in that location'due south also a lot of strength and celebration. This is a bright collection that is urgent in its timeliness, just that will also concord up in the years to come. ...more than

I'chiliad new to poetry - and I'm not sure I've understood all the dash - why sonnets? Why a repeated title for every sonnet? Why xiv in each sub section? But I can respond to the feeling and context of the artwork. This politically charged work is loaded with emotion. Information technology's sad and angry, questioning and reflective. Its funny and connects united states to history both of the recent and afar by. It'due south also tied me in knots as to who the assassin is - is it one of the real figures we meet - or is it terror or I'1000 new to poetry - and I'yard not sure I've understood all the nuance - why sonnets? Why a repeated title for every sonnet? Why fourteen in each sub section? But I can respond to the feeling and context of the artwork. This politically charged work is loaded with emotion. Information technology's distressing and aroused, questioning and reflective. Its funny and connects the states to history both of the recent and distant past. It's also tied me in knots as to who the assassin is - is it one of the real figures we meet - or is information technology terror or self destruction... so much to think about - I'm going to re read and re read I think! ...more

Still, I speak for the dead.
You will never electrocute my ghosts.

I love the style Hayes plays with syntax, for the verses felt so enthralling and profound yet biting that I had to inhale quite ofttimes. He paraphrased untold stories and unheard voices sorrounding racism, "i accept a (enter people of colour here) friend" defense, redefining blackness, and whatnot. I would've given information technology v stars if simply the words "pussy" and "bitch" were absent. It sort of spoiled the purple experience.

Dec 12, 2018 Ryan rated it it was amazing

All the rage of several lifetimes packed into such a modest, powerful volume is masterful to behold. Hayes's command of the language is cute and his love and apply of homonyms and homophones is superb. His sonnets take the cadence of great hip hop and the depth of... also corking hip hop.

This volume is timely and important. A must-read for anyone who hasn't been a big fan of the concluding couple years.

All the rage of several lifetimes packed into such a small, powerful volume is masterful to behold. Hayes's control of the language is cute and his love and use of homonyms and homophones is superb. His sonnets take the cadence of great hip hop and the depth of... also nifty hip hop.

This volume is timely and important. A must-read for anyone who hasn't been a big fan of the terminal couple years.

...more than

Terrance Hayes is the author of six verse collections, including American Sonnets for My By and Future Assassinator, How to Be Drawn, and Lighthead, which won the National Volume Award. He is a MacArthur Young man and teaches at the University of Pittsburgh.

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