On Spec

by Tyrone Williams

An intensely meditative exploration that examines the African American position in the United States, this philosophical collection of poems offers insight into the personal, social, cultural, and racial networks that help to create identity. Brilliantly braced with theory to augment the poetry, these tours through our human need to speak, and to understand, confront the politics of speech and the issues of misunderstanding in regards to the African American condition of diaspora in the United States. Revealing that every act of communication is speculation, these lyrical observations explain how perception is distorted by individual background and conditioning. An eye-opening venture that illuminates the human mind and the struggle faced when trying to communicate what we see and what we believe.

Genres: Poetry

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Lana Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books to which you come back, discover new meanings, connect on different levels. It took me 'Halfway to the stars'.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a tough one to rate--the best pages (and there are many) are amazing, definitely five-star stuff...but ultimately the book was a little too inconsistent in achievement for me to quite feel comfortable giving it the highest rating as a whole. Still, highly recommended.

Addendum, January 2010: Even better the second time around.

[Jonterri · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, these poems were the kind that are received mostly through intellect. They were less about inspiring emotion. Which doesn't mean that they weren't brilliant. These poems are really smart and thought-provoking. Seems like a book you have to read more than once because you'll figure something else out each time.

[Queer · Rating 4 out of 5]

These poems flash across the page and the mind. The plays, the legislators/laws and the homophonics leave the reader grappling with history, the body/self and the sweet tricks our own minds can play on ourselves. On Spec is not for everyone. If you enjoy Omnidawn's other publications you will likely enjoy this one.