Allison Hedge Coke

My favorite poem by Allison Adelle HedgeCoke is the first in this collection, "The Gift." The physicality and momentum of this poem astounds me and that is what I enjoy most about the rest of the poems as well. HedgeCoke uses rhythm to cohere and intensify the moments in poetry and braids it with narrative that horrific and moving, like "Year of the Rat." This poet packs a strong goddamn punch and I can't wait to read more of her work.

If the Earth could speak, this would be its voice. If a river could map its journey, this would be its journal. To those who want to understand the bond of land and human, this is the map. To those who want to hear the voices of Native Americans celebrating and mourning the sacred places violated by those who catalogue rather than appreciate, this is the call. Dark, torturous, difficult, rewarding poems in strange and riveting meters. It may be many years before this reviewer understands show more what Allison Hedges Coke has done here, but it is not hard to appreciate the singular quality of the work. show less

This collection has one of my favorite poems, The Change. But oddly, I've changed a lot since first falling in love with that poem and had a hard time connecting with the rhythmic realism in this collection. I respect Hedge Coke's attention to the oppressed but the poems didn't work their way into my heart.

A mixed-race woman's trials and revelations as she navigates life.