American Sonnet (10) by Wanda Coleman.
It's both American in its subject and in that, as a sonnet, it does not rhyme. Slavery is, unfortunately, in America's blood and that injustice and that history should never, can never be put away. In this poem, slavery as history is everpresent and acts as a motivation to avenge and to want. Is that healthy? Who knows, but it does make for a gripping poem.
I love the way she uses language in this poem. Unique phrasing and images. It was such a good read. Though, I don't get the reference to Lowell. Anyone?
Favorite line: "our mothers wrung hell and hardtack from row
and boll"
Saturday, November 2, 2013
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I reckon this poem is a clap back of sorts to the gushing privlage conveyed in Lowell’s “Spring Day.” After reading both back to back, it appears Coleman is even riffing off Lowell’s rythym.
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