Composition

by Junious Ward

In his debut full length collection, Junious ‘Jay’ Ward dives deep into the formation of self. Composition interrogates the historical perceptions of Blackness and biracial identity as documented through a Southern Lens. Utilizing a variety of poetic forms, Ward showcases to his readers an innovative approach as he unflinchingly explores the way language, generational trauma, loss, and resilience shape us into who we are, the stories we carry, and what we will inevitably pass on.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2023

Reviews

[Sean Mulroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Composition, Junious Ward interrogates the racial politics of America, dissecting and re-evaluating political ideas through his own unique lens. These are poems of fracture, of passionate ambivalence, and the holding of multiple, conflicting beliefs. Ward's experiments with form and structure as presented on the page both illustrate and enhance the divisions and fragmentations of his work, and the inclusion of disassembled historical and legal documents vividly displays the disorienting and vivid nostalgia of an upbringing in the American South, especially as experienced by a person of multi-racial identity (from "Inheritance": "To measure legacy against a house is to say / a name in the South is a yardstick). The book itself divides its attention between racism as encoded into law and demonstrated by popular culture, and more emotional moments of grief which humanize the impact of those same laws and cultures of institutionalized racism. The moments of tenderness in poems about the author's family and past are where Ward's poetic ability truly soars. As Ward states in the penultimate poem of his book, "I love the hometown I had to leave": "What brings me home / is what's inevitably mine." In the same way, Ward's signature bending and blending of personal and political history, language and erasure, and ingenious, challenging forms, makes this book stand out as uniquely his, and inevitably impactful upon the reader.

[Lauren Oertel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is likely the most creative poetry book I’ve ever read. The experimentation with unique and invented forms was a joy to see, which provided a helpful balance for the emotional weight of the poems’ content. I appreciated the careful and nuanced explorations of identity, systemic racism, U.S. history, and how the political invades the personal.

I finished this just in time to include it in my “best books I’ve read this year” list.

This is a powerful collection and I hope it finds many more readers.

[Paris Semansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

COMPOSITION by Junious Ward is such a beautiful and powerful collection of poems.

Personal biography, family photos, historical records, current events, and uncommon poetic shapes all mix together in a way that feels unified and clearly shaped. Taken together, it's a moving book about grief, identity, violence, and resilience.

Thanks to @netgalley and @buttonpoetry for the ARC and for the opportunity to spend some time with such impactful words.

[Lavender · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good book if political justice and the trials & tribulations of white black mixed individuals matter to you. I found it interesting from a non American POV to see the laws and the authors feelings in relation to their life as a mixed person. America is a mess and mixed individuals especially when mixed with black often struggle with their identity. Poetry can be a hit or miss really because it's the authors perspective of life. Overall, it was just okay for me. Might help American mixed people feel seen. Clearly he loves his family.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If ever poems could be displayed in a gallery, as a mural, or on a billboard then I hope America posts the poems in this book.
However, one thing is certain that the conversation on bias, prejudice, race, slavery, colonialism is one that everyone comes ready to prove a point rather to hear each other out and accept mistakes...it's more tantalizing to use hashtags, catch phrases or protest for a while just as the author shares in the piece, 'Language of Composition,' for words do bruise souls, labels undermine human dignity.
If you read earlier on, there's the connection of fathers and sons of what black legacy looks like and the narratives passed on to young men. Then there is the poem titled, 'We learn in halves,' where he talks of how we gather stories and compares it in the very beginning to how we define baskets by what they gather- and neatly wraps up the collection with 'Inheritance.
I love button poetry and I've often been called out on my biases and prejudices and sometimes even enticed by some of the books I've had the privilege to read. This one here goes back to the very beginning, to laws, newspaper clippings, images, calligrams all displaying what black is, how black is perceived, understood, consumed and burdened and it got me thinking of the number of times in job applications, university scholarship applications where I shaded black under the 'ethnicity' question.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC

[Elyrria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely poetry book about racism and what it feels like to be biracial in America. Drawing on his deep well of personal experience as well as his lineage, Junious Ward delivers a beautifully crafted work that deserves to be a big hit in 2023.

Composition relies heavily on the use of calligrams to foster the interweaving of meaning and experience. Much is conveyed through his lovely wording, but also by what he blatantly leaves unsaid at times. The breaks, spaces, and gaps (visually) speak just as loudly as the surrounding verbiage. I know Margaret Atwood is a white woman who centered white women in black people's stories, but the style of this book did remind me of a quote of hers: "We lived in the gaps between the stories." Of course, Atwood only voiced what people of color have already known for centuries, and I found myself yearning to see these "selves" between Ward's stories. I do not always have the depth or the range to perceive them, but I catch glimpses once in a while- due only to Ward's skill as a writer and not my own merit.

I am a white woman and it isn't my place to comment on the biracial elements of the book (in terms of criticism), but I will say that I loved them and learned. This is a short tome, but the tiny package holds universes of wisdom and stories within it. I hope I can hear Ward perform at a poetry slam one day, but if not, I feel lucky to have read his work. I found myself unconsciously snapping my fingers when a particular line gave me chills or "wowed" me with its insight. This is one of those books that I will have to re-read multiple times to uncover the many facets and nuances I missed on the first go-round.

Thank you to Mr. Ward, Button Poetry, and NetGalley for making this book available for people like me to read and review as an e-ARC!

[Erin Clements · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection was visually beautiful, especially in the ways it plays with various mediums, especially redaction poetry.

I think my favorite overall poem was the redaction piece from Mildred Loving's letter to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy because that's such a brilliant idea and was beautifully done, but these lines were my favorite:

"When I say cancer runs in my family, what I mean is my father and his five siblings couldn't run fast enough. What I mean is I ain't been back to my hometown since this uncle's funeral. What I mean is Dad is gone. My uncle followed like smoke. I'm being chased. A monster's hot breath searches for my lungs. [...] I summon the fire now. Swallow it. Like the men & gods before me." - Like Prophets of Baal

"When they ask how we did it, the answer ain't love it's heart, not steadfast-- shift, not intention -- movement, not a wall -- Jericho. The answer to any question is not a trump that raises a wall, it's a trumpet that brings one down." - Black Rapture

"What we gather is more than a sum. Always. The soft mouth, also the fang. Red as blood-thirsty fire. Old as divinity airborne amongst ash, guiding home the restless and forgotten. See now your star; tribe; gate ajar and jonesing; divinity as feral as the day it was born." - We Learn in Halves

[wavesinprose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Composition is a thought-provoking collection about biracial identity, Junious Ward uses multiple forms throughout the book to convey his messages including art, documents, newspaper clippings. photos and mixed media to make this a very interesting and engaging piece of work ( i highly recommend reading through the appendices that expand on the sources included in the collection). Everything in this book is well thought out, some poems like Inheritance & Mural of this country can be read in either direction.
These are some of my favourite ones from my current read that come to my mind:
Kodak 4200 Slide projector asks if I ever held hands with my father
Mural of this country
Language of composition
Forever, a protest is just a run
The Narrative
Blessings
I Love the hometown i had to leave
Inheritance

[Sam Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so honored to have received this collection of poems from both Junious Ward and Button Poetry prior to its publication date of February 7, 2023!

Ward's ability to project his childhood struggles and his experience of being a mixed man or " a Zebra" as the kids in his class referenced him, saddened me to my core but did not at all surprised me because there are so many people who operate with hate in their hearts out of disgust and prejudice for those who look different than themselves.

The beauty that was encapsulated and dedicated to those gone too soon, taken by the brut force and corruption within police forces and mobbed men was worth pausing, re-reading each passage with a newfound homage and respect.

I was so moved by this collection and can't wait to see it on bookshelves in the new year.

[Courtney LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of poems about family, identity, survival, home, growing up Black in the South.

from Like Prophets of Baal: "When I say cancer runs / in my family, what I mean is / my father and his five siblings / couldn't run fast enough. // what I means is I ain't been back / to my hometown since his uncle's / funeral. What I mean is // Dad is gone. My uncle followed // like smoke. I'm being chased. // A monster's hot breath / searches for my lungs."

from Google Image Search: Boston Massacre (Crispus Attucks speaks to Colin Kaepernick): "I was there at the dawn / of it, hero, thug, unlikely / woolen-afro framing / my face like freedom // is framed, falling like my body / needs to be convinced it cannot / stand—there I am—fell / to a knee, sputtering like a song / is stuffed in my mouth."

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This is a great poetry collection and deserves to be placed on your 2023 poetry TBR. This collection deals with many topics surrounding racism, segregation, history and the poets own experience being biracial in America. I loved the different styles of poetry that were used; particularly the blackout poetry and the “mad libs” style poem titled V. Letter of Promise.

Some of my favourite poems in the collection:
- Kodak 4200 Slide Projector Asks if I Ever Held Hands With my Father
- III. Loco Parentis
- V. Letter of Promise
- Within the Prohibited Degree
- Google Image Search: Boston Massacre
- The Narrative
- Blessings

[Clare K H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a remarkable poetry collection that explores the nature of identity, family, racial history, and the power of words.

The poet's biracial perspective offers a unique lens through which readers is able to reflect on the larger social and historical context. By incorporating visual imagery and utilizing redacted words from historical documents, the poet elevates the collection , evoking emotions and provoking thought.

This collection is a both resonant poetry and visually stunning poems that leave a lasting impression.

It is difficult to read the digital volume on a small screen.

I won this astounding volume in a Storygraph giveaway.

[Gabriel Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC given by NetGalley for Honest Review

A rich and powerful collection of poetry and prose. Ward writes about his upbringing, his family, and his identity as a biracial man. The flow is rhythmic and enchanting even when poems break out of traditional norms and styles.

My favorite poems are: "Spiritual Rising From A Cotton Field Burning", "Black Rapture", and "I Can't Stare Directly Into The Footage."

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

The poetry is very subject focused, and the style is non-traditional and artistic. Some are easy to read and understand, whereas others (such as the "blacked out" ones) feel disjointed and messy. The audience might be broad, but feels to be aimed at people like the poem themselves. I almost think illustrations or side-sketches could have added to things. Though currently available, I read via an online reader copy, and think artwork might help target the subject better.

[Denise Kollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another favorite of mine and I was not expecting the content inside this collection. I was impressed and I was highlighting lines like CRAZY. It challenged me in a way I haven't since my undergrad, so I'm happy this collection is bringing me back to more inspiration for my poetry in the future!

FULL REVIEW: https://missnisereads.wixsite.com/mis...

[DeeSoul · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this collection, I am extremely impressed by the breadth of Ward's formal experimentation.
The varied presentation of the poems reflect, I think, the multifaceted approach needed to discuss the interest at the core of the collection, which is bi/multi racialism, particularly how it has & continues to manifest in America. Def a book to return to !

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible collection addressing Blackness, violence, love, America, and the permanent state of being in-between. Ward has a fertile mind and a razor-tipped pen. This is a major work that I think will reverberate throughout the poetry community for a long time.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably my last read for the Sealey Challenge. Really enjoyed the deviations from the left-justified aligned tradition of poetry. A lesson in "poetry doesn't have to look like what you're used to poetry looking like." Also very much appreciate anytime a poet accomplishes a triptych.

[Jacqueline Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Button Poetry for allowing me to read this book of poetry in return for my honest opinion. Another work of poetry that I could bring myself to finish.

[Laura Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of a kind poetry book. Explores form in fresh way but brings the big feels.

Great writing, exciting read. Author is the poet laureate of Charlotte I learned. Strong recommendations.

[SaraEve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a study in how form can make a poem. I’m so glad I picked it. Please read it, it deserves all the attention it can get.

[Emily Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading his mix of history and personal story in poetry form.

[Keith Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jay Ward is one of the most powerful and effective voices in poetry. Composition moves through many different styles of poetry while maintaining a great flow and unique voice.

[Sivani Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely crafted book. Inspirational compositionally, and incredibly moving in content.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a super accessible and exciting book of poetry. Ward plays with form and shape and language in ways that really delighted me. The way he linked history and the contemporary moment was brilliant -- a poem that put Crispus Attucks / Boston Massacre in conversation with Colin Kaepernick / the present digital moment in conversation was so clever. The way he writes blackout poetry using historical primary documents - incredible! poems like mad libs, shaped like the United States, and so much more will keep you excited as you read. Ward's reflection on race, politics, identity, and historical traumas is deep and profound, and I can't wait to think of ways to incorporate this into my history classes.

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that the poetry centered clearly on a single subject. It enhanced me comprehension & made the relevance easier to grasp.