Other books that might interest you

• 

  ballast

  Quenton Baker

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  A poetic sequence using the 1841 slave revolt aboard the brig Creole as a lens through which to view the vitality of Black lives and the afterlife of slavery.In 1841, the only successful, large-scale revolt of American-born enslaved people erupted on the ship Creole. 135 people escaped chattel slavery that day. The event was recounted in US Senate documents, including letters exchanged between US and British consulates in The Bahamas and depositions from the white crew on the ship. There is no known record or testimony from the 135 people who escaped. Their story has been lost to time and indifference. Quenton Baker’s ballast is an attempt at incomplete redress.With imagination, deep empathy, and skilled and compelling lyricism, Baker took a black marker to those Senate documents and culled a poetic recount of the Creole revolt. Layers of ink connect readers to Baker’s poetic process: (re)phrasing the narrative of the state through a dexterous process of hands-on redactions.ballast is a relentless, wrenching, and gorgeously written book, a defiant reclamation of one of the most important but overlooked events in US history, and an essential contribution to contemporary poetry.

  Show book

• 

  My Land of Freedom - A poem of...

  Ifeanyi Njoku

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  This poem is a powerful reflection on war, displacement, and the struggle for freedom. It tells the tragic story of a people who fought for liberation but were met with violence, loss, and eventual surrender. Likely referencing the Igbo experience during the Nigerian Civil War, it captures the pain of oppression and the resilience of those who endured it. 
  The poem begins with a contradiction: "In my land of freedom, I walked with fear." This highlights the irony of living in a place meant to be free but being consumed by anxiety. The people demand justice, yet their cries are silenced by violence. The line "Killing our brothers, and leaving us undone" conveys both physical loss and emotional devastation. 
  The imagery of "scorching soil" and "separated from families" paints a picture of suffering and displacement. War does not just take lives—it tears families apart and leaves hearts unable to thrive. The mention of "refugee camps" emphasizes how many were forced from their homes, left to question their identity: "Are we unlucky, to be Igbo?" This speaks to a deep sense of abandonment and injustice. 
  The poem also highlights betrayal, as leaders fail to protect their people. "Everyone was a soldier, in this war we couldn't win." This line captures the grim reality of a war where survival itself was a battle. Despite their bravery, they were up against overwhelming forces. 
  The final lines are heartbreaking: "We had to surrender, and say goodbye to our pride." This is not just a loss of battle but a loss of dignity. Yet, even in surrender, their story lives on. This poem is a tribute to resilience, a reminder of suffering, and a call to remember those who fought, even when the world turned away.

  Show book

• 

  The Tempest

  William Shakespeare

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The Tempest is a play by English playwright William Shakespeare, probably written in 1610-1611, and thought to be one of the last plays that Shakespeare wrote alone. After the first scene, which takes place on a ship at sea during a tempest, the rest of the story is set on a remote island, where the sorcerer Prospero, a complex and contradictory character, lives with his daughter Miranda, and his two servants: Caliban, a savage monster figure, and Ariel, an airy spirit. The play contains music and songs that evoke the spirit of enchantment on the island. It explores many themes, including magic, betrayal, revenge, and family. In Act IV, a wedding masque serves as a play-within-a-play, and contributes spectacle, allegory, and elevated language.
  Although The Tempest is listed in the First Folio as the first of Shakespeare's comedies, it deals with both tragic and comic themes, and modern criticism has created a category of romance for this and others of Shakespeare's late plays. The Tempest has been put to varied interpretations, from those that see it as a fable of art and creation, with Prospero representing Shakespeare, and Prospero's renunciation of magic signaling Shakespeare's farewell to the stage, to interpretations that consider it an allegory of Europeans colonizing foreign lands.

  Show book

• 

  The Merchant of Venice

  William Shakespeare

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Step into the rich, dynamic world of Shakespeare's The Merchant of
  Venice like never before with this immersive digital audiobook. Whether
  you're a longtime fan or new to the Bard's work, this masterful production brings every character and plot twist to life with powerful narration and vibrant performances. Experience the wit, drama, and heart of this timeless classic anywhere you go—perfect for commutes, workouts, or quiet evenings.
   
  Discover the unforgettable story of justice, mercy, and revenge through
  Shylock’s iconic speeches, Portia’s brilliance, and the complex relationships that make The Merchant of Venice one of Shakespeare’s most enduring plays. The audiobook format allows you to enjoy every layer of meaning and nuance with the ease and convenience of digital access.

  Show book

• 

  The Top 10 Poets – Born in New...

  Philip Freneau, Emma Lazarus,...

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The language of Poetry is an art that most of us attempt at some point in our lives.  Although its commonplace exposure has been somewhat marginalised in today’s often fast-paced lives we all recognise good verse that can empathise with our thoughts or open us up to experience new things in new ways, to better understand and to enjoy the many strands of our lives. 
  But finding a starting point can be overwhelming, even off-putting, so in this series we offer up our Top 10 classic poets, who brim with talent and verse, on a range of subjects and themes that we can all enjoy. 
  In this volume we bring together those poets who began life in New York City.  This thriving, fast-paced and energetic city that is a creative hub for some of the most talented poets of the ages.

  Show book

• 

  Encyclopaedia

  Chloe Elliott

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Chloe Elliott's Encyclopaedia is playful and visceral, exploring boundaries of identity and the search for meaning in poems that delight with richly tactile language. Formally varied, these poems are unflinching in their physicality.

  Show book