A Toast in the House of Friends

by Akilah Oliver

"Don't expect sense from these poems, in which grief, politics, literary theory, and sexuality interweave. But do expect language surprise and beautiful metaphors. . . . When [Akilah] Oliver presents her experiences in metaphor-rich language, the reader feels what she incredible loss, infinite pain."— Library Journal “An extraordinary gift for everyone.”—Alice Notley Written for her son, Oluchi McDonald (1982–2003), Akilah Oliver’s poems incorporate prose, theory, and lyric performance into a powerful testimony of loss and longing. In their journey through the borderlands of sorrow, they grapple with violence, find expression in chants, and, like the graffiti she analyzes, become a place of public and artistic memorial. “If memory is the act of bearing witness,” she writes, “then the dream is a friend driving us somewhere.” Akilah Oliver is the author of the she said dialogues , recipient of the PEN/Beyond Margins Award. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she currently lives in Brooklyn and curates the Monday Night Reading Series at the Poetry Project.

Genres: Poetry

100 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2009

Reviews

[C.A.]

February,2011

VERY VERY SAD NEWS OF AKILAH'S DEATH LAST MONTH!

I've created a (Soma)tic Poetry Exercise in honor of her amazing legacy.
#55, for Akilah: http://somaticpoetryexercises.blogspo...


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2009 review

LOVE IT!
I've created a (Soma)tic Reading Enhancement for it, which you can see at the ATTENTION SPAN 2009 List here: http://thirdfactory.wordpress.com/200...

THIS IS AN AMAZING YEAR FOR POETRY!
CAConrad
http://CAConrad.blogspot.com

[Steven]

Although there are a few poems that feel a bit over-written, this collection is still exceptional. Oliver's ability to write about the passing of her son, graffiti, and a variety of other social issues- both public and private make this an extraordinary and important collection. This is definitely a book I will read over and over.

[Diane]

A courageous gift of such honesty and beauty that it sometimes reads like Akilah was channeling. One of the most graceful and mystical books I have ever read.

[Scott Satterwhite]

This book was recommended to me by poet CA Conrad in a talk they did at 309 Punk Project about occult poetry. I can't lie and say I completly knew how to read this, but there were a lot of moving works about death. The last poems, about Matthew Shepherd and Oliver's brother, lines, about how death and absence of loved ones feels. The longing that's felt but challenging to say in words more than "I miss you." Oliver interprets those feelings and translates the heart into the written word. This book left a profound impact on me.

[Roger Green]

This is a beautiful book full of simultaneities, repeated textural themes, laments, and prayers that unfold into something almost like a body in the in-between-ness of subjectivities - there is tension counter statement, movement as above and so below.

[Diana]

Perhaps the most beautiful book of poems I have ever read.

[Brianna]

you’re a ribbon roun my finger wherever i go

[Christine]

One of the most honest books I have ever read.

[Liz]

I really appreciated her perspective on graffiti.