Reuben Jackson Makes Banshee Press’ 2020 Best Short Readings List
Jackson's poetry cycle, "Kelly's Love for Waltzes" (published by Boston Review) is chosen by Jaydn Dewald for the year-end list.
THIS YEAR, the Irish publisher, Banshee Press, asked its editors and contributors to pick "their favourite shorter reads of the year." Poet, Jaydn Dewald, whose work has appeared in Banshee and numerous other journals, chose Reuben Jackson's poetry cycle "Kelly's Love for Waltzes" for the list. The cycle was originally published by Boston Review and includes poems that utilize a waltz-like form, each line containing three words.
In "Kelly's Love for Waltzes" Reuben, who achieved considerable recognition for his narrative-driven poetry about lovers Khadijah and Amir, showcases a new voice, that of Kelly, loud and frustrated over racial inequality. Reuben's most recent collection Scattered Clouds features a plethora of his narrative and character-based poetry, and includes of all of his Khadijah and Amir poems. You can pick that up from ASP here.
Scattered Clouds is a volume of lyrical, emotionally forthright meditations on love, loss, and longing. The volume contains the complete text of the author’s award-winning first collection, fingering the keys; his nationally lauded poem, “For Trayvon Martin”; and his suite of ruminations on a long-time and deeply missed friend, the late barbershop owner Amir Yasin, and his widow Khadijah Rollins. These poems, exploring Amir’s late-life romance with Kadijah, became a national internet sensation.
An introduction by poet Abdul Ali places Jackson in his rightful context as a Black American poetry elder, who has influenced generations of younger poets with his musical wisdom as well as his poetry. Ali is a Cave Canem alum and the author of the poetry collection, Trouble Sleeping.
Rose Solari Came of Age as Teacher at “The Writer’s Center”
In this short essay, Rose Solari muses on her time as a teacher working in the early ’90s at Bethesda’s up and coming “The Writer’s Center”, and on how a recent reconciliation led our 2019 book launch back to The Center.
Grace Cavalieri and Other MD Poets Honor Stanley Plumly on Midday W/Tom Hall
Grace Cavalieri, Elizabeth Spires, and Michael Collier discuss the life and work of former MD Poet Laureate, Stanley Plumly, on WYPR’s Midday with Tom Hall.
“Melodic Recollections of Notable Musicians: Stories from the Stacks” Reuben Jackson on VPR
In “Melodic Recollections of Notable Musicians” Reuben spends an hour recalling his adventures and misadventures as curator of the Smithsonian’s Ellington collection. For anyone interested in knowing more about Reuben Jackson and the immense jazz influence in his poetry, this is the place to start.