Essential Queer Voices of U.S. Poetry

by Christopher Nelson (Editor)

100 Poets for the Present and Future. The Essential Voices series intends to correct misrepresentation and misunderstanding in the broader culture. It has at its heart the ancient idea that poetry can reveal our shared humanity. This anthology features 100 poets who illuminate the queer experience in the U.S., including Kaveh Akbar, Rick Barot, Frank Bidart, Richard Blanco, Jericho Brown, Franny Choi, CAConrad, Natalie Diaz, Mark Doty, Nikky Finney, Nikki Giovanni, Marilyn Hacker, Robin Coste Lewis, Timothy Liu, Eileen Myles, Carl Phillips, Justin Phillip Reed, Kay Ryan, Sam Sax, Richard Siken, Danez Smith, Ocean Vuong, and many others. Diverse in styles, subjects, and demographics, the book is a mirror to the lived experience of nearly one century of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender poets. "I come to this anthology having languished, having felt benumbed, having come to question, at my very core, poetry's value, its potency, as we contend with our current brand of American tyranny, our Hour of Lead. As I read ESSENTIAL QUEER VOICES OF U.S. POETRY, I experience an incremental awakening, or re-awakening. Every poem, every phrase in every poem, clicks a small switch in me that had been shut down, repairs a blown fuse, brings a wound into the light, provokes it into being, or staunches it. The exhilarative truth-telling and wit, the poems that walk the page with a humble gait, and those that ego-strut, the foundational voices and the newly arrived, remind me of what poetry has been in similarly oppressive times, its capacity for liberative endurance. From the first lines of the opening poem, Frank Bidart's 'Queer'--'Lie to yourself about this and you will / forever lie about everything'--an entreaty against self-deception, we find ourselves in veracity's realm, where language reigns free. … The lines of these poems accordion, inhale, exhale, serpentine, straighten, curl. A carnival of approaches to diction, positionality, structure, song. This anthology is not representative of a sector of American poetry. It is American poetry. The party contains multitudes and hints at multitudes to come. When I reach the last lines of the final poem, torrin a. greathouse's 'On Using the Wo|men's Bathroom,' I am no longer numb."--Diane Seuss, winner of the Pulitzer Prize Poetry. LGBTQ+ Studies.

Genres: Poetry

355 pages, Paperback

Published February 6, 2024

Reviews

[Elliel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many queer poets! I love queer poetry but, due to different circumstances, a lot of the poetry I am able to read is older. So I was incredibly excited when I was handed this book by my friend at my local pride center's library. Essential Queer Voices of U.S. Poetry edited by Christopher Nelson is a collection of poems from 100 queer poets across the United States. All, except one of which are currently writing and publishing work.

I know reading the title some people will fear that this is just another all white and cis poetry collection. But its not. Christopher Nelson worked to include poets from as many different and diverse backgrounds across the U.S. as possible. And aside from the poetry one thing I loved about the book was the cover and inside cover. There are images of each poet on the inside covers of the book which is so cool. I've never seen a collection or anthology do that before. I have found so many new-to-me poets to read. My TBR on storygraph has over 1,000+ books now.

I knew before I even got to the first poem that this book was going to rip my queer little heart out. I cried reading the pre-intorduction before there were even page numbers. I was right it did hurt but it was so worth the emotional pain. Plus it wasn't all sad or anger inducing poetry. However, I will say that this anthology have me emotional whiplash. My heart and brain couldn't keep up with each other. Almost every poem caused an emotional or physical reaction. It is absolutely one of those books you have to put down and just process everything you've just read.

Essential Queer Voices of U.S. Poetry is eye opening. As I mentioned above all of the poets included in this collection are currently writing and publishing. This means that their perspectives are about the U.S. as it is currently (a bit of a dumpster fire). I have a strong belief that one of the best ways to truly learn about a place is through its literature and art. This anthology perfectly captures the shit show that is the U.S. from as many perspectives as possible. I've learned so much form these poets and I am forever excited and grateful to learn more.

Their poems are about the U.S. as it is now. And each of them except one (who the book is dedicated to) are currently living, writing, and publishing work. I believe that one of the best ways to truly learn about a place and time is through its literature and art. This anthology perfectly captures the shit show that is the U.S from as many perspectives as possible. Despite living here, I've learned so much form these poets. And I am forever excited and grateful to learn more.

Overall I recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry, is queer or an ally, and to anyone willing to broaden perception of the United States. Personally despite living in the U.S. I have learned so much from these poets. I love reading both for fun and education. I hope you pick up this book. I genuinely believe it is an extremely important piece of queer history.