Scan barcode
a_reads_books's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Composition is a thought-provoking collection about biracial identity, Junious Ward uses multiple forms throughout the book to convey his messages including art, documents, newspaper clippings. photos and mixed media to make this a very interesting and engaging piece of work ( i highly recommend reading through the appendices that expand on the sources included in the collection). Everything in this book is well thought out, some poems like Inheritance & Mural of this country can be read in either direction.
These are some of my favourite ones from my current read that come to my mind:
Kodak 4200 Slide projector asks if I ever held hands with my father
Mural of this country
Language of composition
Forever, a protest is just a run
The Narrative
Blessings
I Love the hometown i had to leave
Inheritance
Composition is a thought-provoking collection about biracial identity, Junious Ward uses multiple forms throughout the book to convey his messages including art, documents, newspaper clippings. photos and mixed media to make this a very interesting and engaging piece of work ( i highly recommend reading through the appendices that expand on the sources included in the collection). Everything in this book is well thought out, some poems like Inheritance & Mural of this country can be read in either direction.
These are some of my favourite ones from my current read that come to my mind:
Kodak 4200 Slide projector asks if I ever held hands with my father
Mural of this country
Language of composition
Forever, a protest is just a run
The Narrative
Blessings
I Love the hometown i had to leave
Inheritance
thatsoneforthebooks's review
5.0
I found this to be a super accessible and exciting book of poetry. Ward plays with form and shape and language in ways that really delighted me. The way he linked history and the contemporary moment was brilliant -- a poem that put Crispus Attucks / Boston Massacre in conversation with Colin Kaepernick / the present digital moment in conversation was so clever. The way he writes blackout poetry using historical primary documents - incredible! poems like mad libs, shaped like the United States, and so much more will keep you excited as you read. Ward's reflection on race, politics, identity, and historical traumas is deep and profound, and I can't wait to think of ways to incorporate this into my history classes.
farenmaddox's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
I am blown away! These poems often take on an experimental style, but the assurance of Ward's language and the broad, sweeping emotions grab onto you and give you something to grab onto while you navigate his innovative structures. Incredibly creative and unapologetically personal.
I won a digital copy of this book from the button poetry giveaway here on StoryGraph. I'm so happy to have been selected and introduced to this incredible poet!
I won a digital copy of this book from the button poetry giveaway here on StoryGraph. I'm so happy to have been selected and introduced to this incredible poet!
welkinvault's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
This is a remarkable poetry collection that explores the nature of identity, family, racial history, and the power of words.
The poet's biracial perspective offers a unique lens through which readers is able to reflect on the larger social and historical context. By incorporating visual imagery and utilizing redacted words from historical documents, the poet elevates the collection , evoking emotions and provoking thought.
This collection is a both resonant poetry and visually stunning poems that leave a lasting impression.
I won this in a Storygraph giveaway, but there was no expectation of a positive review. Thanks for the gift of this poetry volume.
The poet's biracial perspective offers a unique lens through which readers is able to reflect on the larger social and historical context. By incorporating visual imagery and utilizing redacted words from historical documents, the poet elevates the collection , evoking emotions and provoking thought.
This collection is a both resonant poetry and visually stunning poems that leave a lasting impression.
I won this in a Storygraph giveaway, but there was no expectation of a positive review. Thanks for the gift of this poetry volume.
jessdrafahl's review
4.5
Ward manages to go beyond just history and poetry - he details the human experience in the most visceral, personal way. This collection highlights his own history, biracialism, AAVE, racism, language, Code Switching…it’s got it all. This collection is raw and cuts deep.