Duende: Poems

I sympathize with JW, and think some of his points are valid, but still, this book is much better than that reviewer suggests. (And to JW's credit, the other reviewers sound like they've been assigned to read and review this book in some "creative" writing class.) But really, you have to look beyond the title, which is another poet's pet fancy, the blurbs, the epigraphs, even the glamorous author's portrait! Those things serve Smith ill in presenting her in the too familiar terms of a chronicler of private sensuousness and public atrocities. (Elizabeth Alexander, cease and desist!) What remains is some resonant and not at all trite or tired writing. Smith has clearly traveled the places she talks about, and what she says carries authority, in their precision and persuasive feeling. At times I do feel she over-stretches, as we know these painful things that happen to other people are real enough, yet are tired of academic summonings of theatrical gestures to bring them, not to life, but to art. But most of the poems here are possessed of an implacable hurt and fury that I guess is what duende is supposed to be about.

Although the word Duende, from my research, alludes to something mystical and fantasy-like, the images that Tracy K. Smith uses in her collection of poems with the same title are very real. Duende, published in May of this year, is full of stories about what is felt physically and mentally. Smith is able to convey a deep connection with her senses to the reader. SUch being the case, in all of the pieces, I was able to feel, see, smell, and touch the elements of her poem. In the piece entitled, "I Don't Miss It", Smith writes about the absence of a lover and what she feels in each moment. In most of her pieces, she employs visuals from the natural world. For example, "Sun perhaps,/Or more lilely colorless light," helps the reader to see the brilliance she speaks of. Smith uses a style of writing that I credit women poets with. Her femininity and awareness of her body is communicated throughout the book. I recommend this book of poetry to anyone who is seeking to go where the poet is in their journey of poetry.

How does she do it? I'm in awe of Tracy K. Smith's intellect and heart. Her ability to weave the questions of our time, the beginning of history, and a personal lyric together in gorgeous language is no small task. This is a book I'll be re-reading for a long time. Her poems make me want to expand my own world, to travel again to Spain, and work harder to capture life's earthy low notes. This is a poet we are sure to hear more from and I, for one, can't wait.

I enjoyed this book. Smith's use of imagery was powerful. Also, the variety in the formatting of each poem made it more interesting and captured my attention immediately. She found an effective way to mix historical and political issues with ideas with emotions the ordinary person experiences. Part four of the first poem, History, was especially inspiring. This, I feel, set the tone for the rest of the book. Not only did I enjoy the poetry, but I learned a lot as well.

There is some real poetry here, and real poetry is beautiful, startling and of great value to the intelligent mind/heart trying to navigate through the madness in this world. I hope Tracy, whom I have never met, keeps reaching deep inside of her self -- and deep into the sky, dragging back whatever might be out there of value close to us as one might a kite and fed us the way soul-gut art can. May many come to read your fine, fine work. Daniel Ladinsky Best-selling Penguin author