Over the Anvil We Stretch

by Anis Mojgani

Over The Anvil We Stretch contains swampy, powerful poems that are as exciting as the pocket knife you got for your birthday, the three legged frog on the lawn and the jar of marbles your mother kept in the kitchen. Mojgani's poems are the sound of the river and the stars burning above. He manages to capture the axe in the stump with blood still on the handle. Anis Mojgani has drawn a map of the country in the shape of his wild surreal poems. These are memories of a life, captured through the blue green filter of the bayou. Mojgani's latest poems are tinged with the sound of crickets spying on us in the darkness. They move forward honestly, brutally and sweetly. The reader will be led into briar patches as well as the moonlight just on the other side.

Genres: Poetry

120 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2008

About the author

ANIS MOJGANI is a two time National Poetry Slam Champion, winner of the International World Cup Poetry Slam, and multiple-time TEDx Speaker. He has been awarded residencies from the Vermont Studio Center, AIR Serenbe, and the Oregon Literary Arts Writers-In-The-Schools program. His work has appeared on HBO, NPR, and in the pages of such journals as Rattle, Forklift Ohio, Paper Darts, and Thrush.
Anis is the author of five books, all published by Write Bloody Publishing: The Pocketknife Bible (2015). Songs From Under the River (2013), The Feather Room (2011), Over the Anvil We Stretch (2008), and his latest, In the Pockets of Small Gods (2018). Originally from New Orleans, he currently lives in Oregon.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no one quite like Anis Mojgani.

A few years ago, I ordered a couple of editions of Rattle magazine, one of these was a Tribute for Beat Poets with an Audio CD.

Anis Mojgani’s voice was instantly the star of the lot, I remember listening to it in my car and having to pull over immediately. As is my way, I went into mix-tape hyper drive and sent the audio tracks to all my mates – not all of them got it, but some got it just the way I did.
What is it about Anis? He's fearless. He has a childlike enthusiasm & hunger.

I'd be more than happy to send on some of the audio tracks I have, or check out YouTube for his performances, particularly those posted by SpeakeasyNYC.

[Matthew Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection contains some startlingly beautiful and powerful poetry. Mojgani shines brightest in his playful surrealism and his ear for the unusual, but cadenced and lovely phrasing.

Several of these, however, tend to concentrate almost solely on the provocative and lack in clarity what they make up for in descriptive invention. On a number of readings, I found myself moved by his language while simultaneously confused by the content - which, I grant, may have been his point.

On the whole, I am a fan of Mojgani's, especially his stylistic delivery on his live videos (see YouTube). However, this collection is a four-star. Also, be advised of his occasional swearing.

[Write Bloody Publishing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over The Anvil, We Stretch contains swampy, powerful poems that are as exciting as
the pocketknife you got for your birthday, the three legged frog on the lawn and the jar of
marbles your mother kept in the kitchen. Mojgani’s poems are the sound of the river and
the starts burning above. He manages to capture the axe in the stump with blood still on
the handle. The reader will be led into the briar patches as well as the moonlight just on
the other side.

[Anna Katherine Kelley]

I don't have a ton to say about the actual book, but the multiple person annotations in the copy I have, gave me life.

[Alyson · Rating 2 out of 5]

When it comes to writing, ideas have to consider their form -- and while I believe the themes and images found in 'Over the Anvil' were suited to poetry, and that the author pursues and executes some of these themes, and the magic of these themes with great power and clarity--a lot of the book felt underbaked to me, as though line breaks needed to be reconsidered, or altered in space, or some bits of it re-tended after a period of self-reflection. Perhaps it is writing better suited to the spoken-word Mojgani is so praised for, for while this book is beautiful in parts, it felt like only the tip of an iceberg.

[Dallas Swindell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anis Mojgani has created a world of magical realism in Over the Anvil We Stretch; frequently bordering on the surreal and anchored in the multitude of human senses. He composes small passages and extended thoughts of hidden spaces and interstitial moments that live within his characters. They cherish and revel, and sometimes painfully grow, within these spaces and moments. Like all good poets he lays bare their most furtive details while still leaving room for the imagination and interpretation of his readers.

Their actions avoid judgement and the results of their doing or not doing weigh heavy on the page, as the world itself seems to stretch out from beyond its normal bounds to impregnate and push his characters. The give and take between personal agency and supplication to the grand forces of nature lies central to many of the poems in Over the Anvil We Stretch, there is always an exchange being made, of what and by who transforms with each new poem.

Each section of the book includes its own thematic motifs, all linked in one way or another to love/lust, the blood of the earth and humankind, or the search for meaning or in its place violent justice. These themes give the book a breath all its own, at times low, slow, and patient in its pace at others tight and squealing, cutting razor sharp holes into the worlds inhabiting Mojgani's book of poems. The balance and tonal similarity across each section is satisfying in the sense of giving the reader many views of the same surreal biome in which his characters and places exist. Their struggles seem to mimic the imminent need of each poem to pull itself from the page and float up and into the face of whoever reads them.

In all OtAWS is a cohesive collection of poems, almost to it's own detriment. The terse declarative stanzas border on repetition by the final section, at times magnified by the pervasive motifs, and at times base and reductive of women in his assertions of love and lust. Those issues aside I found Mojgani's work engaging and driven; imbued with his passion for both the written and spoken word each poem felt performative in a way that let them dance off the page.

[Nathan Wurschmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Over the Anvil We Stretch" by Anis Mojgani is an incredible collection of poetry that takes you on a journey as you reflect on life's complexities.

The poems in this collection are filled with vivid imagery that paint a picture in your mind, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives and the world around them.

Mojgani’s mastery of language flows effortlessly in a rhythm that captures you. When that rhythm breaks and changes pace you feel the tonal shifts that take you on turns within your experience.

His works are a must read for those who appreciate poetry and the beauty of language.

[Daniel Heimstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read "Songs from under the river", which was published in 2013. A poetry collection that I found easier to follow.

In "Over the anvil we stretch", I find it a bit too abstract for my tastes. This is also Mojangi's earlier works (I'm not sure how early, if it's one of his first ...) but compared to the 2013 poetry collection this one got, like I said, a bit too abstract. :)

[Brooke Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this out from the library after seeing a quote from him on pinterest. I feel like a lot of these poems were the very definition of southern gothic. Most
of it wasn’t for me, but there were some very beautiful lines that I wrote down to remember.

[Dawn Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite poets on the stage and on the page. Loved this book!

[Ronnie Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anis Mojgani stopped me in my tracks with this book. I'd read three or four of his chapbooks, so I had high hopes for his first full-length collection, but this manuscript shattered all my expectations. Mojgani is best known for the wonder and amazement with which his poems approach everyday experiences, but few know much about his love for Frank Stanford and the slow rumble of Southern blues. This collection is a fantastic mix of traditional Mojgani, inventive and imagistic, and the gravelly verse of an old man on the bayou. So enthralling is this book that I read it cover to cover in under two hours, only to pick it up again and again over the next few months. If you like Stanford, Pound or anything in the performance poetry community, you need this book.

[Noora · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, I'm a bit disappointed with this book. I might have had really high expectations, because I've watched Anis Mojgani's performances and just finished reading two of Andrea Gibson's books. It's not fair to compare, but I couldn't help it. Overall the poems were great, some of them were mind blowing, especially the poem "Milos" - beautiful! I would definitely recommend poetry lovers to read this book.

[Donald Armfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read some of Mojgani's work in a previous anthology and thought his part of the collection was marvel. So grabbing his collection I had some good hopes.

With a cool sounding title I only pulled out four favorites. His writing is s little on the off beat side but a little too sporadic for my enjoyment. The opening to the collection is very well written, i wish the rest carried out like that. My favorites listed below.

-When I was Sick
-S.J.H.
-the moccasins
-these foxes

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

an absolutely astonishing collection of poems. anis breaks new ground with a simplicity and beauty never found before in poetry.
it will make you view the world in an entirely new way. your life will be colored much brighter and deeply after this read. great for first time poetry readers as well! get it and dont be stupid.

[Noura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anis Mojgani is a lyrical genius and that's all you really need to know.
Now go pick up his book and read it or youtube his videos and trust me when i say you will get hooked. That man has a flow with words that is just incredible.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anis Mojgani is the type of poet that floors you with such a short, simple string of words that it's almost baffling how he brought you to tears or touched your soul. He's a brilliant performer, and this is a brilliant collection.

[Sarah]

Anis Mogjani is by far, my favorite poet. Has been for the past 5 years. "Come Closer" changed my life. This collection of poems will make you think, fall in love, challenge you, make you mad. It's simply beautiful.

[Anie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book of poetry. Some of them really hit my heart. If you get a chance to read this, don't hesitate. You won't regret it.

The images he places in your mind with so few words are obscure and alluring and keep you flipping page after page.

[Kim Schebler · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful, magical, bends the horizon.
he even got me angry (in Antarctica).
color me impressed.

[missy jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just wanted to hear all these poems SPOKEN.

[Dylan Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anis is brilliant. Smarten up and read it already.

[Maria Rocio · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books of modern poetry I have ever read.

[Kelsie Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anis is a brilliant poet & his collection is beautiful. I have reread it multiple times & would recommend it to everyone.

[Jessica Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartbreaking and yet healing book full of honest words.

[Camilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5*

Magical poetry.

[Jene · Rating 5 out of 5]

After hearing Anis Mojgani at a slam poetry reading my junior year in college, I can hear his voice so clearly reading these poems.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

These warm warm my soul. Nothing like these.