Drowned: A Mermaid's Manifesto

by Theresa Davis

"Theresa Davis's work revels in searching for the strength to be found in armor chinks. Every aspect of this book bears the standard of a regiment at war with the interior, fighting battles with loss, depression, and the lover that will not recede, battles you are not certain she will win. Sometimes you lose in Davis's world. Always you must understand why you lost. With her life and words Davis has filled the belly of the world, kissed its lips, been crushed in its undertow... all in her effortless tongue. Theresa Davis the Poet recorded these expeditions with her eyes open, always searching for answers. Theresa Davis the Knowing, the Hopeful, the Person, the Loving has come out of the other side with a testimony worthy of any church worshiping any religion that truly knows what it means to be alive." - Scott Woods, author of Urban Contemporary History Month & We Over Here Now

Genres: Poetry

80 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2016

Reviews

[Meghan Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a stunning re-read for me. I read this back in 2016 after seeing Theresa open for Rising Appalachia in Atlanta. I loved her spoken word so much that I bought her book after the show. I’m so happy I came back to this again. This was a beautiful last poetry selection for me to read in 2020 & reflect on the immense impact this year had especially in the Black Lives Matter community. A lot of the poems in this book reflect on the horrors of being a Black woman in America, the fear of watching your Black son grow up, police brutality, & much more. Theresa paints the picture for you in a way that does not cushion your understanding. She includes the true grit & gore of it. The fuck you of it. The unfairness of it. She writes about being a gay Black woman in interracial relationships & the struggle of it. She writes on grief, mourning, the loss of ones self, the celebration of love & passion, but also the lowest lows of abusive relationships. The self awareness this book contains is immeasurable. I cherish this collection for sparking my love of poetry all those years ago. Theresa’s work is incredible & I recommend this to absolutely everyone. My favorite quotes I’ll put here: “The way you cared in that non-committal way always reminding me that I was temporary.” “Knowing what it meant. Not wanting to see.” “I am sorry for your loss could have been my future. How I would not even Garner a hashtag. There would be no march. No riot for this Black woman.” “I can move away from you when the salt stings my skin. When I remember my gills. My scales. When I release the weight of you.”

[Stephanie Willock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this poetry book! I know Theresa Davis and she is such an amazing poet. Her creativity and personality shines through all of her work. Each poem was so carefully written, telling their own story. I love how she doesn’t hold back and writes exactly how she feels without worrying about how it may disturb others or create a little chaos. Definitely had some favs in here that I’ll continue to read over and over!

[Angela Hoeltke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theresa has all of the words and I enjoy them so much. The way she tells stories can be mesmerizing. I can hear her voice in each page. A beautiful poet worth reading and listening to. Love this woman!

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theresa Davis is a local slam poet so I've had many opportunities to hear her perform. She's a dramatic presence and when I read her poems I invariably "hear" her voice. Nonetheless, the poems are just as good read as heard and having a copy in front of me adds a depth where I may have missed part of a poem in hearing and now I have it to reread.

[Katy-Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish Goodreads did half stars, because this was so, so close to perfect for me. But collections that make a point of declaring what they are and what they’re saying, then adding a few things that I’m not sure where they fit in, they fall a little short for me. That said, Davis’ writing was stellar and I was diving in immediately with the introduction.

⭐️4.5

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed some of these poems. Theresa hits the nail on the head a number of times and its great to have poems like those to read in these challenging times. Manifesto, Black, Hypocrisy Suite Movement #1, Flotsam, Block Party, and At Rest Bitch Face were my favorites.

[Tamara Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

As tough as it is tender... I like that. I may not be comfortable with it, but I like that.

[Maddie 🍄 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars*

[Claudia C-M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful work of poetry!

[Selena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t quite like this book, I think poetry is just not my vibe. There’s some stuff in here that I think is important to read, obviously the author’s experience being a black American as well as their experience as a queer person. However, I like my poetry pretty and fluffy so my favorite parts were the less gritty poems that just drew mermaid metaphors. I would still recommend it, I just wouldn’t read the whole thing again.

[Alison Law]

Listen to my interview with Theresa Davis in Episode 10 of the Literary Atlanta podcast, released October 10, 2017.