America, We Call Your Name

For everyone who believes that poems do make things happen, this is an empowering collection of poems gathered by Sixteen Rivers Press, a shared-work collective in Northern California, on many topics of conflict and controversy. More than two thousand poems were initially submitted when the call went out (in less than two weeks – what does that say?) and mixed with pieces nominated by the poets of the collective. Whatever the moment in history, truth-seeking expression always feels redemptive. But, especially now, when democracy has been so visibly under attack and justice for all races and genders seems particularly tender and vulnerable, we need this potent and beautifully produced book. Many teachers will be grateful for the activism encouraged by widely various writers and perspectives – even teachers in Florida and Texas will be, I promise. Quoted at the front are these lines from W.H Auden’s well-known poem, “September 1, 1939” – “All I have is a voice/To undo the folded lie.”