Poems shimmering with lyricism ask who can inherit a country?2021 PEN Open Book Finalist 2021 NAACP Image Award Finalist, Poetry2021 Brooklyn Public Library Literary Prize, LonglistDancing between lyric and narrative, Hafizah Geter's debut collection moves readers through the fraught internal and external landscapes―linguistic, cultural, racial, familial―of those whose lives are shaped and transformed by immigration. The daughter of a Nigerian Muslim woman and a former Southern Baptist black man, Geter charts the history of a black family of mixed citizenships through poems imbued by migration, racism, queerness, loss, and the heartbreak of trying to feel at home in a country that does not recognize you. Through her mother's death and her father's illnesses, Geter weaves the natural world into the discourse of grief, human interactions, and socio-political discord. This collection thrums with authenticity and heart.SAMPLE POEMTestimony for Tamir Rice, 2002-2014Mr. President, After they shot me they tackled my sister.The sound of her knees hitting the sidewalk made my stomach ache. It was a bad pain. Like when you love someone and they lie to you. Or that time Mikaela cried all through science class and wouldn't tell anyone why. This isn't even my first letter to you,in the first one I told you about my room and my favorite basketball team and asked you to come visit me in Clevelandor send your autograph. In the second one I thanked you for your responsible citizenship. I hope you are proud of me too.Mom said you made being black beautiful againbut that was before someone killed Trayvon. After that came a sadness so big it made everyonelook the same. It was a long time before we couldgo outside again. Mr. President it took one whole dayfor me to die and even though I'm twelve and not afraid of the darkI didn't know there could be so much of itor so many other boys here.
✔ Author(s): Hafizah Augustus Geter
✔ Title: Un-American (Wesleyan Poetry Series)
✔ Rating : 4.8 out of 5 base on (21 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 0819579815
✔ ISBN-13: 9780819579812
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Un by Hafizah Augustus Geter
Lucy Garraway
This book completely captured my heart. The characters were so relatable, and their journeys resonated deeply with me. The writing was poetic and powerful, leaving me with a sense of awe. I'm grateful to have experienced this literary gem.
Beata Shepard
What an intellectual journey! The themes explored in this book challenged my perceptions and sparked introspection. It's refreshing to read a book that provokes such thought.
Sydney Richardson
The themes of resilience and hope resonated deeply with me. This book taught me valuable life lessons that I'll carry with me for years to come.
