The second poetry collection by Tyree Daye, titled Cardinal, commences with two epigraphs. The first is drawn from The Green Book, an annual guide that aided Black travelers in the segregated US, expressing hope for a future where such a guide is unnecessary. The second epigraph, from Nina Simone’s “Chilly Winds Don’t Blow,” speaks of yearning for acceptance. These epigraphs align with the book’s theme of navigating the Black experience in America. Daye’s poems delve into the landscapes of North Carolina and his family history, blending mourning and love. The poems in Cardinal touch on the idea of travel as a reflection on home, creating a sense of rootedness despite the desire for flight symbolized by red wings throughout the collection.
The poems in Cardinal are punctuated by recurring elements, including family photographs interspersed with verses. These images, depicting Daye’s relatives without captions, evoke moods and emotions, enhancing the book’s intimacy and the theme of memory and loss. The concept of the “field” is a recurrent motif in the collection, symbolizing both agricultural plots and burial grounds, reflecting on possibilities and constraints. Daye explores the multifaceted meanings of the word “field” in the opening and closing sequences of the book, using poetic imagery to portray a sense of longing and exploration.
The final lines of Cardinal weave together references to fields, travel, and writing, culminating in a reflection on the state bird of North Carolina, the cardinal. Daye imbues the cardinal with symbolic significance, connecting it to themes of family, heritage, and mortality. The imagery of the cardinal as a soulful presence resonates throughout the collection, emphasizing the intertwining of personal and ancestral histories.
Cardinals, known for their vibrant presence and territorial nature, serve as a metaphorical anchor in Daye’s poetry, highlighting a connection to region and a steadfastness in identity. While Daye’s work stands apart from traditional literary influences, the cardinal emerges as a powerful symbol of resilience and groundedness. The collection invites readers to contemplate the significance of staying rooted while embracing the complexities of identity and belonging.
As the reviewer reflects on the cardinal’s symbolic significance in Daye’s work, a real cardinal’s song outside serves as a poignant backdrop. Just as the cardinal remains steadfast in its surroundings, Cardinal captures a sense of presence and introspection that resonates with readers seeking a genuine and contemplative poetic experience.
