On September 5, 2014, NPR ran an by critic Juan Vidal titled, “Where Have All the Poets Gone?” which questioned whether American poets still produce political work, and suggested that “literary [political] provocation in America is . . . at a low.” Because I find this assessment of contemporary American letters to be very incomplete, I wanted to take the opportunity to create a dialogue on the subject by curating a series of compelling political poems from contemporary American poets. I christened this series “Political Punch” as an affectionate reflection on the cocktail of poets who decided to honor me with their participation in my little Infoxicated Corner; it was intended to celebrate the glorious mix of poetics, voices, and life experiences all being shaken and stirred into a sense of community and conversation, being distilled into burning gulps of experience for the reader. Leaving aside all the boozed-up metaphors, it was also intended to celebrate my experience of American letters, in all their willingness and ability to pack a political punch.
This collaborative piece, “Unheeled,” by recording duo The Quiet Onez (Ahi Baraka and Ekere Tallie) is an audio poem that gave me chills. It deals with issues of abuse and domestic violence, and also interrogates the “pain is beauty” myth with which our society indoctrinates little girls, who grow up to take pride in their ability to wear/endure things that physically damage, even devastate, their bodies. This piece quotes a few sentences from a 2014 interview that pop star Rihanna gave to Vogue, in which she discusses her love of clothes and shoes, sharing an anecdote about a pair of heels that, after she performed a concert in them, rendered her unable to stand.
Photo Credit: TSE 2013
s first book of poetry Karma’s Footsteps was published in 2011 (flipped eye publishing). She is the poetry editor of the literary magazine African Voices. Her work and creative life the subject of the short film I Leave My Colors Everywhere. Tallie has read her work and lectured at universities and colleges across the US. She is widely published in anthologies and journals including North American Review, WSQ, Specter Magazine, Mosaic, Bomb, Crab Orchard Review, Drumvoices Revue, Role Call. Tallie earned an MFA from Mills College and has taught at Medgar Evers College and York College in New York City. She is one half of the recording duo The Quiet Onez.
ahi baraka music shaman son of poets amiri and amina baraka spoken word producer in the tradition of amiri baraka gil scott-heron the last poets to the first ancestor who put musik to word born and raised in newark new jersey musical influences range from gordon parks isaac hayes to dj premier and the 45 king….
