First published 2017
This anthology gathers poetry and prose from diverse voices to offer readers comfort during difficult periods. Elizabeth Alexander curates selections from classic and contemporary writers including Maya Angelou, W. H. Auden, Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, Rumi, and Alice Walker. The collection draws from poets and writers representing multiple cultures and borders, featuring works that address our capacity for compassion, patriotism, protest, and perseverance. Alexander opens the book with a foreword, building on her experience delivering "Praise Song for the Day" at President Obama's inauguration. The anthology responds to poetry's recent resurgence on social media and bestseller lists, honoring the communal spirit of sharing meaningful words during personal hardship and collective anxiety. These selections provide wisdom and perspective, allowing readers to step outside their current circumstances and gain fresh insight into both the external world and their inner lives. The collection illuminates shared humanity and creates connection across a divided landscape.
Genres: anthologies, poetry, non-fiction, 21st-century
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
Period: 21st-century
224 pages · Hardcover · Random House