Light Head Terrance Hayes Epub Download
Joyce Buzard
Lighthead by Terrance Hayes: A Review
Lighthead is the fourth collection of poems by Terrance Hayes, an award-winning American poet and professor. It was published in 2010 by Penguin Books and won the National Book Award for Poetry that year. In this book, Hayes explores the themes of identity, race, culture, history, and imagination with a distinctive voice that blends humor, lyricism, and intelligence.
The title of the book refers to the light-headedness of a mind that tries to pull against gravity and time, as well as the lightness of being that comes from transcending the limitations of reality. Hayes writes in various forms and styles, from sonnets and ghazals to free verse and prose poems. He also invents his own forms, such as the "golden shovel", which uses the last words of each line from a poem by another poet as the end words of his own poem. He pays homage to his influences, such as Gwendolyn Brooks, Langston Hughes, Wallace Stevens, and Fela Kuti, while also creating his own original and innovative expressions.
The book is divided into four sections, each with a different tone and focus. The first section, "Lighthead's Guide to the Galaxy", introduces the persona of Lighthead, a witty and playful guide who offers his insights on various topics, such as music, art, politics, and love. The second section, "A Plate of Bones", delves into the darker aspects of human experience, such as violence, death, racism, and addiction. The third section, "Twenty-Six Imaginary T-Shirts", showcases Hayes's inventiveness and humor by imagining slogans and images for t-shirts that reflect his personal and cultural identity. The fourth section, "Cocktails with Orpheus", celebrates the power of poetry and imagination to transform reality and create new possibilities.
Lighthead is a book that challenges and delights the reader with its range of emotions, perspectives, and forms. It is a testament to Hayes's mastery of language and craft, as well as his vision and voice. It is a book that invites multiple readings and interpretations, as it offers new insights and surprises with each page. It is a book that deserves to be read by anyone who appreciates poetry that is both accessible and complex, both light and profound.
If you are interested in reading Lighthead by Terrance Hayes, you can find it in various formats online. You can download it for free from the Internet Archive, or you can buy it as an ebook from OverDrive or Google Books. You can also read a PDF version of it here. Happy reading!
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