American Journal: Fifty Poems for Our Time by Smith, Tracy K.

A landmark anthology envisioned by Tracy K. Smith, 22nd Poet Laureate of the United States

American Journal presents fifty contemporary poems that explore and celebrate our country and our lives. 22nd Poet Laureate of the United States and Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy K. Smith has gathered a remarkable chorus of voices that ring up and down the registers of American poetry. In the elegant arrangement of this anthology, we hear stories from rural communities and urban centers, laments of loss in war and in grief, experiences of immigrants, outcries at injustices, and poems that honor elders, evoke history, and praise our efforts to see and understand one another. Taking its title from a poem by Robert Hayden, the first African American appointed as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, American Journal investigates our time with curiosity, wonder, and compassion.

Among the fifty poets included are: Jericho Brown, Natalie Diaz, Matthew Dickman, Mark Doty, Ross Gay, Aracelis Girmay, Joy Harjo, Terrance Hayes, Cathy Park Hong, Marie Howe, Major Jackson, Ilya Kaminsky, Robin Coste Lewis, Ada Límon, Layli Long Soldier, Erika L. Sánchez, Solmaz Sharif, Danez Smith, Susan Stewart, Mary Szybist, Natasha Trethewey, Brian Turner, Charles Wright, and Kevin Young.

Author: Tracy K. Smith
Publisher: Graywolf Press
Published: 09/04/2018
Pages: 104
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.25lbs
Size: 6.90h x 4.50w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9781555978150

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 09/01/2018 pg. 61

About the Author
Tracy K. Smith is the author of four poetry collections, including Wade in the Water and Life on Mars, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. In 2017, she was appointed Poet Laureate of the United States. She teaches at Princeton University.