The Way of the Earth: Poems

by Matthew Shenoda

A lyrical collection examines the quotidian beauty that surrounds us despite deep loss and climate crisis

The Way of the Earth is the fourth collection from award-winning poet Matthew Shenoda. In this, his most personal collection to date, he explores the temporal and fleeting nature of human life and the earth we inhabit. Through ruminations on the intersections of culture and ecology, the death of loved ones, and the growing inequities in our midst, Shenoda explores what it means to be a person both grounded to the earth and with a yearning beyond it. Memories of landscapes and histories echo throughout the sensations of the the sight of egrets wading in the marshes, the smell of the ocean, a child’s hand nestled in a warm palm. “Time never goes back,” Shenoda writes, “but the imagination must.”

Genres: Poetry

80 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2022

About the author

Matthew Shenoda is a writer and educator whose poems and writings have appeared in a variety of newspapers, journals, radio programs and anthologies. He has been twice nominated for a Pushcart Prize and his work has been supported by the California Arts Council and the Lannan Foundation among others.

His debut collection of poems, Somewhere Else (Coffee House Press), was named one of 2005's debut books of the year by Poets & Writers Magazine and was winner of a 2006 American Book Award. He is also the author of Seasons of Lotus, Seasons of Bone (BOA Editions Ltd.), editor of Duppy Conqueror: New & Selected Poems by Kwame Dawes, and author of Tahrir Suite: Poems (forthcoming, TriQuarterly Books/Northwestern University Press).

Shenoda lectures widely and has taught extensively in the fields of ethnic studies and creative writing. The former Assistant Provost for Equity & Diversity and faculty in the School of Critical Studies at California Institute of the Arts, he is currently Associate Professor & Interim Chair of the Department of Creative Writing at Columbia College Chicago. Additionally, Shenoda has served on the Board of Directors of several arts and education organizations and is a founding editor of the African Poetry Book Series. He lives with his family in Chicago.

Reviews

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meditative is the perfect word to summarise this short poetry collection.

Exploring our ever changing environment, the main take aways I got were the importance of being still and just immersing yourself in your surroundings.

These poems need to be taken Slowly, don't speed through this collection, take your time and let the words sink down into your skin.

The author has a way with words and I'll definitely keep an eye out for more of their work in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Northwesterly University Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Roger DeBlanck · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Way of the Earth is a lovely title that complements its striking cover design, both of which drew my immediate attention. The title hints at an exploration of the Earth’s natural marvels and phenomena, and the image on the cover synchronizes what looks like the confluence of a river, a tree trunk, and a cluster of flames from a campfire. The cover’s image is also a soothing and inviting blend of earthy pastel tones of turquoise, brown, and orange—a testament to the beauty of nature’s colors. Indeed, both the title and the cover image intrigued me with excitement in discovering poems that evoked similar interesting reflections about the Earth. What I found was a collection of poetry that is a labor to gain comprehension. Shenoda’s vision is much too elusive to the point where I gained little about his perspective on the Earth. After finishing, I hadn’t marked any pieces to revisit, which I usually do with a collection of poems. I commend his attempts at delving for something profound and original to say about our human connection to nature, but his verses are beyond my understanding in giving me a new way to see the Earth.

[✵ Kas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley & Northwestern University Press for a copy of this ARC in return for an honest review.

These are the kind of poems that you don't just read once and rush to the next page, you want to read through them a few times, sinking into the depth and meaning of them. There are warm poems in this collection exploring the fleeting and mysterious yet beautiful nature of life; rich descriptions of landscapes and wildlife and everyday scenes that form like memories in the mind's eye. And there are jarring, heartfelt poems that look at the themes of loss and crisis. Shenoda's writing style is rich and emotive, whilst also feeling quiet and meditative.

I also really like the cover of this edition, it's really beautiful and would look good on any shelf.

[Mags Dares · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Northwestern University Press for an advanced copy of The Way of the Earth in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this collection. I found the wording to be poetic, while still being understandable. It is probably not for the more casual poetry reader, but you also don't have to be an expert to understand the author's purpose. I found myself highlighting lines throughout the book that stood out to me and thought the author made some excellent points about the state of America, and the ongoing climate crisis across the globe. Overall, an enjoyable collection.
*rounded up from 3.5 stars

[nikkip · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Way of the Earth by Matthew Shenoda is beautiful from the inside out! Shenoda’s words flow so beautifully. These poems served as reminders to be still in the moment, to feel all of our emotions, to enjoy all of earth’s beauty, and that we must take care of each other and our planet while we are here. Thank you to Netgalley, Northwestern University Press, and Matthew Shenoda for the opportunity to read this prior to publishing.

“There is a space between knowing and not knowing that defines each of our lives.”

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘The Way of the Earth: Poems’ by Matthew Shenoda is a collection of poems with some common themes.

With themes of the temporal and temporary, nature and culture are explored. Memory of loved ones and social injustices interweave with scenes of nature. “Time,” Shenoda says “never goes back but the imagination must.’

I feel like I would have benefitted from reading more than once, or perhaps taking the time to contemplate the work longer. There is a profoundness here that eluded me.