Stephanie Burt - We Are Mermaids: Poems

2022, English, Stephanie Burt,

Full title: "We Are Mermaids: Poems" by Stephanie Burt.

"Stephanie Burt’s poems in We Are Mermaids are never just one thing. Instead, they revel in their multiplicity, their interconnectedness, their secret powers to become much more than they at first seem. In these poems, punctuation marks make arguments for their utility and their rights to exist. Frozen isn’t simply another Disney animated musical but “the Most Trans Movie Ever.” Mermaids, werewolves, and superheroes don’t just fret over divided natures and secret identities, but celebrate their wholeness, their unique abilities, and their erotic potential. Flowers in this collection bloom into exactly what they are meant to be―revealing themselves, like bleeding hearts, beyond their given names.

With humor and insight, Burt’s poems have always cherished and examined the things of this world, both real and imagined objects of fascination and desire. In this resplendent new collection, her observation and care flourish into her most fulfilled book yet. These poems shake off indecisiveness and doubt to reach joys through romance and family, through nature (urban and otherwise), and through imaginative community. We Are Mermaids is a trans book, a fangirl book, a book about coming together. It’s also Burt’s best book."

Stephanie Burt, born as Stephen Burt in 1971, is a literary critic and poet. She currently holds the position of Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Professor of English at Harvard University. The New York Times has lauded her as “one of the most influential poetry critics of [her] generation”. Burt’s upbringing was in the vicinity of Washington, D.C.. Her extensive body of work includes various collections of poetry and substantial literary criticism and research. Burt’s writing has graced the pages of prestigious publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times Book Review, and The London Review of Books.

Burt coined the term “elliptical poetry” in a 1998 book review of Susan Wheeler’s work. Elliptical poets aim to manifest a persona within their poems while utilizing verbal techniques developed over the years to subvert the coherence of speaking selves. These poets shift between low (or slangy) and high (or naively “poetic”) diction, often presenting almost-stories or obscured narratives. Their work is sardonic, angered, defensively difficult, or desperate, seeking to entertain without resembling television.

In 2009, Burt introduced the concept of “The New Thing,” a category of American contemporary poets. These poets draw inspiration from literary figures like William Carlos Williams, Robert Creeley, Gertrude Stein, and George Oppen. Their style involves self-subordinating concision, leading to discussions of “minimalism.” They observe scenes and people with precision, creating a distinct poetic voice. Stephanie Burt’s contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of poetry and literary analysis, making her a significant figure in contemporary literature.

Available via Amazon

Photo via Facebook