American Sublime (English)

A whirlwind compilation of poetry formed from stories and historical references, AMERICAN SUBLIME aims to show how every voice and every existence has significance within the whole of life. Documenting the African-American experience, from the slave ships to the present, Elizabeth Alexander invokes an encyclopedic slew of names and images, such that eventually these specifics begin to blend, like voices in a chorus. Alexander's verse contains many musical rhythmic shifts--fast and jazzy lines expire into slow and soulful mourning. AMERICAN SUBLIME was short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 2003. minimize