a half-red sea

by Evie Shockley

In a half-red sea, Evie Shockley is 'dreaming the lives of the ancestors.' Navigating against prevailing currents, these poems sail on eddy and backflow, taking inspiration from knots and twists of American history and culture. Whether improvising between the lines of a slave narrative in 'henry bibb considers love and livery,' amplifying Lady Day's most devastating blues in 'you can say that again, billie,' or going freestyle with 'double bop for ntozake shange,' Shockley's imagination travels every which away. In 'a thousand words' and other reflections on contemporary events, Shockley's firm grounding in history adds weight and depth to her observations of the recent past and present. --Harryette Mullen, Advance Reader

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

First published August 20, 2006

About the author

Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, poet Evie Shockley earned a BA at Northwestern University, a JD at the University of Michigan, and a PhD in English literature at Duke University.

(from http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/e...)

Reviews

[Seth Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible range and tenderness. She takes on so much and does it all well but what got me was the across page/fold out/formDefying poems (thousand words/poem For when his arms open So wide You fall through). A poets poet. Musical/historical/thoughtful. Excited to read the newer stuff but almost can’t imagine her having a better collection. I hope I’m wrong!!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review at the Poetry Foundation Harriet blog:

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/harri...

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful, beautiful poems full of gospel soul.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very good. I especially liked the poems which touched on black history/injustices. I loved the many poems which referenced or responded to other poets' work. This collection was exciting and never dull to read. The topics, the forms and the use of language were all greatly varied. This is an exciting poet who has a lot of good ideas and is a very creative writer. I want to read more of her work.