When the Smoke Cleared: Attica Prison Poems and Journal

by Celes Tisdale (Editor), Mark Nowak (Introduction)

Following the Attica prison uprising in September 1971, Celes Tisdale—a poet and then professor at Buffalo State College—began leading poetry workshops with those incarcerated at Attica. Tisdale’s workshop created a space of radical Black creativity and solidarity, in which poets who lived through the uprising were able to turn their experiences into poetry. The poems written by Tisdale’s students were published as Betcha Ain’ Poems from Attica in 1974. When the Smoke Cleared contains the entirety of Betcha Ain’t , Tisdale’s own poems and journal entries from the three years he taught at Attica, a previously unpublished collection of poems by Attica poets, and a critical introduction by poet Mark Nowak. In addition to the poetry, Tisdale’s journal entries give readers a unique opportunity to experience what it was like to enter Attica as an educator and return week after week to discuss poetry. When the Smoke Cleared showcases these poets’ achievements, their desire for self-determination, and their historical role as storytellers of Black life in a prison monitored exclusively by white guards and administrators.

Genres: Poetry, History, Nonfiction

152 pages, Hardcover

Published November 29, 2022

Reviews

[Jiho Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best collection of poems I’ve read.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poems from the Celes Tisdale-led Attica prison poetry writing workshop written in the aftermath of New York State's 1971 massacre of 41 men at Attica prison. Tisdale's journals at the time of the work shop. Nowak's introduction situates the prison uprising and prison in part of larger American historical tradition of struggle against the U.S.'s staggering carceral state.

Many of the poems are damn good poems. Also a crucial contribution to understanding networks of radical black writing and publishing in the Rust Belt in the 60s & 70s. The poems were originally published by Dudley Randall of the Detroit-based Broadside press.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[ashley el ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

wish it was longer