Weary Kingdom: Poems

Palmetto Poetry Series

by DeLana R.A. Dameron, Ross Gay (Foreword)

In this new collection of poems, Weary Kingdom, DeLana R. A. Dameron maps a journey across emotional, spiritual, and geographic lines, from the familiarity of the honeysuckle South to a new world, or a new kingdom Harlem. Her poems traverse the streets of this Black mecca with a careful eye cast toward the intimacies of the exterior. Still, as the poems move throughout the built environment, they navigate matters of death, love, love loss, and family against the backdrop of a city that has yet to become home. Indeed what looms over this weary kingdom is a longing for the certainties of a lover s touch, the summer s sun, and the comforts of a promised land up North. And as the poet longs, so do readers. Ultimately they grow aware of Utopia s fragility."

Genres: Poetry

88 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 2017

About the author

DéLana R. A. Dameron is an artist whose primary medium is storytelling. She is a graduate of New York University’s MFA program in poetry and holds a bachelor of arts
degree in history from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Her debut poetry collection, How God Ends Us, was selected by Elizabeth Alexander for the South Carolina Poetry Book Prize, and her second collection, Weary Kingdom, was chosen by Nikky Finney for the Palmetto Poetry Series. Dameron is also the founder of Saloma Acres, an equestrian and cultural space in her hometown of South
Carolina, where she resides.

Reviews

[Fred Dameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read D. Damerons poems in "African American Poetry" and loved her one poem. This work is a collection that is defiant but in another way. She is defiant in her moving on from relation ships and still being a strong black women who won't let the male species define her. No matter how much she misses his touch or her mother, her father, her life outside of N.Y. N.Y.. Her poems have made me think and I thank her for that. Very enjoyable and good for a February in N.Y. City or a fall day in TX.

[Anatoly Molotkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How easily/ I could let you in. But what job I have// to keep this pane between us,/ what job - keeping you alive." A stunning collection from Delana R. A. Dameron, very personal, yet socially engaged. Effortlessly, the poet bridges the gap between her own experience and the reader's to establish emotional resonance throughout.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a brilliant read, with too many favorite quotes to write down. A few of my favorite poems were “Dear-,” (2), “The Letter I Never Sent, 2007” and “River Bend.” “How Can It Be Time To Leave Me?” and “Dear Zemar” were both raw and touching narratives of grief that left me in tears. A thoroughly enjoyable read. ❤️

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blitzed through it and loved the poetry of a mid-twenties woman who has moved to NYC, where it is too cold. A place she wants to love but is challenging. A home in the South that she's hated but still has a homesickness. Love and sex and death poems. That fear of permanence. Good 'moving away' poetry.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

five stars cause she’s also from South Carolina, the superior Carolina

[Nick Peebles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book right after moving into my apartment away from home. it felt poignant and I think I connected with it more because of the situation.

[Genevieve]

"You love & loathe / the city, vow to snake / under its skin" (p.9, "Transfer")