For Dust Thou Art

by Timothy Liu

Running the gamut from traditional to radical forms, Timothy Liu’s sixth collection of poems, For Dust Thou Art, continues the trajectory of his previous books but extends his lyrical range. The centerpiece of the volume’s tripartite structure is a meditation on the events surrounding 9/11 and its aftermath. In his poems, Liu explores what a twenty-first century American “poetry of witness” might look like and protests the charge that the poetic generation to which Liu belongs is stymied by a kind of jaded amorality. Whether taking on public spectacle or contemplating the fallout of a private life, these meditations move forward and backward through time, seeking spiritual consolation within a material world.

Genres: Poetry

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Gerry LaFemina]

Timothy Liu's poems are sometimes challenging, usually linguistically rich, and always surprising. The middle section of the book--a meditation on 9/11--is particularly powerful.

[Ashur]

More research into Liu's work is needed, but my general disposition towards his poetry thus far is positive.