Sand Opera by Philip Metres
This book explores the post-9/11 US chaotic world as an Arab American. The content binds the political and personal incorporating a polyvocal exploration of language from the US invasion of Iraq, Abu Ghraib prisoners, soldiers, torture in Guantanamo, testimonies from torture victims and the narrator as a parent and self. Formally inventive, the collection uses blackout, grey scaled lettering, building plans, and fingerprints; all sorts of erasure that comes together to explore a post 9/11 Arab American experience. The collection is built like an opera in aria’s using blues poems, lyric, dramatic monolog and dialog.
There is a useful list of sources, inspirations, and dedications in the author’s notes. Also, the notes begin with the why of the book in the author’s own words.
Poems:
No comments:
Post a Comment