Imagoes

by Wanda Coleman

Limited to 426 copies, this being one of the 200 hardcover trade editions. A collection of poems by renowned African poet Wanda Coleman. Slight shelf wear. 169+ 5 pages. quarter cloth, paper wrappers, paper spine label. 8vo..

Genres: Poetry

Hardcover

First published August 1, 1983

About the author

Coleman was born Wanda Evans, and grew up in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles during the 1960s. She received fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, The NEA, and the California Arts Council (in fiction and in poetry). She was the first C.O.L.A. literary fellow (Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, 2003). Her numerous honors included an Emmy in Daytime Drama writing, The 1999 Lenore Marshall Prize (for "Bathwater Wine"), and a nomination for the 2001 National Book Awards (for "Mercurochrome"). She was a finalist for California poet laureate (2005).

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was instantly struck by the opening poem (probably the strongest of the collection), which is a fascinating reworking of ancient Greek Myth. Here, the poet positions Gods and Goddesses in the modern world, and reimagines them in a different setting to reflect on the gritty - dark - harsh - modern America.

Most of the poems are about race, gender, failed attempts at love, female sexuality, drugs, poverty etc She somehow weaves these scattered themes together by describing the city space (LA). In a way she also (kind of) constructs her poetic identity through the locations she discusses.

Her poetic voice is bold - honest - raw - because she really doesn’t hold back (I like that a lot). The poems aren’t contrived or floppy which is also really nice. What I mean is ... They’re really bleak without having Bukowski-esque miserable pretentiousness.

Some of my favourite poems from the collection:

About god and things
I carry the moon
Daddyboy
Burglars
Dear Mama (2)

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

not for me, but probably representative of its time and place. vivid images of cum, drugs, and violence in LA. the kind of thing that likely lends itself well to performance

[Gerry LaFemina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Head strong, urban, gritty, part performance/part post modern, jazzy and always powerful, these poems show Coleman for the poetic dynamo she is.

[Margarat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasure my Wanda Coleman books, sad to have heard of her death a few days ago, and want everyone to read her (though they have missed the chance to hear her now).