Subversive Poetry: Relief During Repression

marthaengber
1 hour ago
2 min read

When I was at a writing conference last March, I went to a panel about the importance of poetry in times of political and social repression, because poetry can voice people’s global angst, and level criticism against those regimes, without doing so directly.

But I think poetry is important during any type of repression, especially that imposed by society or ourselves.

When writing BLISS ROAD,, the story of my neurodiverse family, I wrote poetry, which I later included in my book, because sometimes that was the only way to talk to myself: not with logic or clarity, but instead through pure, murky emotion.

Do you write poetry in times of trouble?

For further reading, here's a list of famous subversive poems and poetry books, most made available for free through the Poetry Foundation:

"I, Too" by Langston Hughes: A powerful declaration of the dignity and belonging of Black Americans within the nation's fabric, envisioning a future free from segregation and discrimination.
"America" by Allen Ginsberg: A sprawling, stream-of-consciousness poem that confronts American consumerism, militarism, and social injustices.
"Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou: A poignant metaphor for the oppression and yearning for freedom experienced by marginalized individuals.
"If We Must Die" by Claude McKay: A defiant call for dignity and resistance in the face of racial injustice and oppression.
"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes: Explores the historical resilience and enduring legacy of African Americans, connecting their struggles to the ancient roots of civilization.
"We Lived Happily During the War" by Ilya Kaminsky: A reflection on complicity and the normalization of violence during times of conflict.
"A Litany for Survival" by Audre Lorde: A celebration of the power of marginalized voices to persevere and find strength in their shared experiences.
"Boy Breaking Glass" by Gwendolyn Brooks: A powerful depiction of the desperation and resistance of a young Black man in a world that seeks to confine him.
"Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear: Poems from Gaza" by Mosab Abu Toha: A raw and moving portrayal of life under siege in Gaza, bearing witness to the human cost of conflict.
"Whereas" by Layli Long Soldier: Examines the history of broken treaties and the ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples in the United States.