Here Comes This Dreamer

by Micah Bournes

Over the past decade, audiences worldwide have experienced the powerful work of Micah Bournes through his passionate spoken word performance and hip hop records. In his debut collection of poetry, Micah reveals himself a force to be reckoned with on the page as well. A staunch non-conformist, Bournes encourages the dreamers to dream without apology as he continues his unrelenting to fight evil with poetry.

Genres: Poetry

126 pages, Paperback

Published March 20, 2020

Reviews

[Nicki Pappas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I began reading, it was difficult to put down Here Comes This Dreamer by Micah Bournes. Thought-provoking, brilliant, healing, realistic yet hopeful, and uncomfortable are all adjectives I would use to describe this collection, though these descriptors all fall woefully short in capturing everything contained in the work of Micah Bournes. The three sections are tied together so seamlessly, and when the title poem dropped on me, I was stunned. I will revisit these poems and recommend this book often.

[WadeofEarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here Comes This Dreamer. From the cover art to the final page, Bournes challenged my perceptions and perceptiveness, and gave me tons of content to appreciate, and consider. I love his beautiful lyricism, his open humor, and his sharp insights. This work was obviously an overflow of the artists heart and I highly recommend checking out what this dreamer has on his.

[Glendon Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Some days I must turn my back
on this world to survive it
Some day
I must live in my dreams
if I want to be anything
more than rage"

I intended to do so much more reading this break than I actually have so allow me to knock out a few of the smaller books on my shelf to actually hit my target.

A few years ago, my community held a poetry night that hosted Bournes. I picked up this book then, but mostly as a kind of reflex because we shared an interaction that was probably well-intentioned but filled me with such anxiety that I thought, "well maybe if I buy the book that will feel better" and instead has just lingered as a weird anxious memory. I have to admit, though, the book is good!

Contemporary poetry is a very weird thing, especially when written. I think a lot about form when it comes to contemporary poetry - not in terms of a strict formalism, but in terms of a sense of intentional shape and design that keeps poetry from just sort of being stream-of-consciousness thoughts with line breaks a la Rupi Kaur. And Bournes' style draws attention to the spectrum of poetic form by highlighting the inherent colonialism of rigid formality while also embracing a clear sense of form himself. He does a great job at conveying visual structure in this book's written form, but it is also readily apparent that his poetry is meant to be heard aloud. And isn't most poetry? But there's such a clear sense of voice here, and it's hard to to think of a collection like this being received any other way. In that, Bournes' style takes on a shape and structure that allows contemporary poetry to have clear form and intention without caving to rigid formality.

Beyond the discussion of form, this collection stands out as a way to process the great pains of being alive In This Time. Bournes' work is structures as a progression from "Nightmares" to "Dreams" to "Prophesies," laying bare the horrors of American oppression while charting a potential course forward. It's difficult not to think of Brueggeman's "Prophetic Imagination" as a means to paint a picture of what the world could and should be. That is the realm of the artist, to put up signposts for the world to follow towards a greater harmony. The first step to that sort of awareness is lament, and Bournes skillfully takes his audience through that cycle. The ambition here is less to encourage readers to dream, so much as to create a world where dreaming is possible again.

[Nicki Pappas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I began reading, it was difficult to put down Here Comes This Dreamer by Micah Bournes. Thought-provoking, brilliant, healing, realistic yet hopeful, and uncomfortable are all adjectives I would use to describe this collection, though these descriptors all fall woefully short in capturing everything contained in the work of Micah Bournes. The three sections are tied together so seamlessly and when the title poem dropped on me, I was stunned. I will revisit these poems and recommend this book often.

[Lena Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of hearing Micah Bournes share some of his poetry live. He brought so much energy and passion for his craft that it was impossible to feel unmoved. As soon as I saw that he was selling poetry books, I knew I had to get one from him. I thought most of the poems were excellent. I'm so grateful for the way he has put his experience as a black man in America on paper. Reading about it, with such vivid imagery, has been an unforgettable experience. I hope to take the emotions stirred within me and use them to advocate for justice for black people in America.

[John Lovell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Micah hits so hard with his writing...I too am a Christian and can have such a hard time reconciling my faith with what I see in the world. Micah invites us into his mind to see how this plays out. He isn't afraid to step into those uncomfortable spaces in America and in his life. I feel such a deeper appreciation for poetry after this reading. I also feel a deeper appreciation for my faith. Thank you Micah.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first learned of Micah Bournes as a result of a national English teacher conference. Though virtual, Bournes' energy and message as he performed his poems and discussed his work in schools inspired me to order this collection. I do not regret it. Pieces like "Can You Repeat the Question?", "Milo Jackson," and "My Government Name" in particular resonated days after I read them.

[Deborah Gradian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book! Micah Bournes put into words the very things his fellow dreamers long to say. Two of my favorite poems are the title poem and “Spaghetti Revolution.” I want to join this revolution. Everyone should join in and help Micah fight evil with poetry!

[Amy Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every poem hits hard. There is so much beauty and anger and power and passion and ...POETRY in this book. Every time I read a poem aloud during our teacher coffee mornings, we sit back and just feel it. Buy this book. Read this book. I think I might always be "currently reading" this book.

[Brandi Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly excellent narrative poetry. Not tied to any single form and beautiful crafted. These are words to wreck you and comfort you, to give you hope and a kick in the pants all at once. These accomplish what poetry is meant to.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY SHIT, GOOD JOB MICAH!!!! everyone read this book. You must. It would be absurd not to. Especially if you like poetry, which I only sometimes do.