the black maria (American Poets Continuum) Paperback – April 12, 2016

A lyrical project of historical reclamation, this book of poetry by Aracelis Girmay does history, song, story-telling and poetry equally well. Such an emotional-historical depth to this collection. Highly recommend.

Important, gorgeous poems that manage to uplift and devastate the reader simultaneously. Teeth and Kingdom Anamalia were beautiful collections, and I thought the latter was a particular achievement, but The Black Maria feels magnum-opus-like -- except now I expect Girmay will write something in a few years' time that will knock me flat yet again.

A stunning book. Ingenious and passionate and canny. That Girmay is able to use two of poetry's most worn tropes, the sea and the moon, and imbue them with such vigor and freshness is a measure of just how strong this book is. Not to be missed.