Post by Terrance Hayes on May 21, 2012 17:46:18 GMT -5
Tim Huber
Poet: Terrance Hayes
Word Count: 525
Terrance Hayes is an African American poet born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1971. Hayes graduated from Coker College in Hartsville, and he began writing poetry. Terrace has published four books of poetry thus far beginning with Muscular Music (1999) and culminating most recently in Lighthead (2010), which won the national book award. This, of course, only scratches the surface of Hayes’s achievements. He has been honored and recognized by numerous organizations for his work, and he is currently teaching creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University. Hayes has recently settled down with his wife and son in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Terrance Hayes is a contemporary poet whose work is greatly influenced by his ethnic identity and his childhood experiences. In his early childhood, Terrance describes how his parents taught him that there was no such thing as race. He believed that his own family that was “made of dirt or shadow”, and he recognized the inherent differences between his neighbors who were “clean as fence posts in porch light”. Terrance uses this childhood perception to assess the racial inequality inherent in the American Dream in our society. Similarly, Terrance draws inspiration from his experience with his childhood icon Shaft. Terrance believed that he could emulate Shaft’s Afro, his “black halo”, he would gain his popularity and courage as well. Ultimately he realizes that he is keeping “the real me tucked beneath a wig”, both metaphorically and physically, and he comes to accept himself. Terrance loves childhood and the innocence and exploration that characterize it; as he eloquently put it, “bless the little pants”. These youthful experiences, among many others, characterize a portion of Terrance’s work. He presents his childhood narratives along with the life lessons he learned from them to both inspire and entertain the reader.
Terrance also writes poems that mimic the style of other widely recognized writers and poets. He acknowledges and honors their unique style and accomplishments while infusing the poems with his own personal commentary. In “The Blue Seuss”, Terrance analyses the history of “Blacks in boxes” in United States history with the lyrical repetition and rhyme that characterizes Dr. Seuss. African American culture and the difficulties they experience and a common thread among his works. Terrance explores the individuality of each and every human being and the impact when their unique goals and aspirations are constrained. He criticizes the treatment of African Americans in society as well as any controversial issues excite his interest in a manner that is humorous and engaging. It is difficult to say whether “doctors say latex is ageless”, whether “the greatest mystery to man is man”, and what the true value of a “gold plated crack pipe” is. What can be said, however, is that Terrance is unafraid to explore these unique issues through his poetry. Whether it is a personal narrative or a social criticism, all of Terrance’s poems have a powerful message and a unique blend of humor and raw emotion that is enthralling.
I am thrilled to welcome Terrance Hayes up to the stage to share his poetry, and I want to express my excitement and thanks for his appearance here this evening.
Poet: Terrance Hayes
Word Count: 525
Terrance Hayes is an African American poet born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1971. Hayes graduated from Coker College in Hartsville, and he began writing poetry. Terrace has published four books of poetry thus far beginning with Muscular Music (1999) and culminating most recently in Lighthead (2010), which won the national book award. This, of course, only scratches the surface of Hayes’s achievements. He has been honored and recognized by numerous organizations for his work, and he is currently teaching creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University. Hayes has recently settled down with his wife and son in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Terrance Hayes is a contemporary poet whose work is greatly influenced by his ethnic identity and his childhood experiences. In his early childhood, Terrance describes how his parents taught him that there was no such thing as race. He believed that his own family that was “made of dirt or shadow”, and he recognized the inherent differences between his neighbors who were “clean as fence posts in porch light”. Terrance uses this childhood perception to assess the racial inequality inherent in the American Dream in our society. Similarly, Terrance draws inspiration from his experience with his childhood icon Shaft. Terrance believed that he could emulate Shaft’s Afro, his “black halo”, he would gain his popularity and courage as well. Ultimately he realizes that he is keeping “the real me tucked beneath a wig”, both metaphorically and physically, and he comes to accept himself. Terrance loves childhood and the innocence and exploration that characterize it; as he eloquently put it, “bless the little pants”. These youthful experiences, among many others, characterize a portion of Terrance’s work. He presents his childhood narratives along with the life lessons he learned from them to both inspire and entertain the reader.
Terrance also writes poems that mimic the style of other widely recognized writers and poets. He acknowledges and honors their unique style and accomplishments while infusing the poems with his own personal commentary. In “The Blue Seuss”, Terrance analyses the history of “Blacks in boxes” in United States history with the lyrical repetition and rhyme that characterizes Dr. Seuss. African American culture and the difficulties they experience and a common thread among his works. Terrance explores the individuality of each and every human being and the impact when their unique goals and aspirations are constrained. He criticizes the treatment of African Americans in society as well as any controversial issues excite his interest in a manner that is humorous and engaging. It is difficult to say whether “doctors say latex is ageless”, whether “the greatest mystery to man is man”, and what the true value of a “gold plated crack pipe” is. What can be said, however, is that Terrance is unafraid to explore these unique issues through his poetry. Whether it is a personal narrative or a social criticism, all of Terrance’s poems have a powerful message and a unique blend of humor and raw emotion that is enthralling.
I am thrilled to welcome Terrance Hayes up to the stage to share his poetry, and I want to express my excitement and thanks for his appearance here this evening.