In his latest collection, “So To Speak,” Terrance Hayes continues to showcase his innovative talent following the success of his previous work, “American Sonnets for my Past and Future Assassin.” Hayes not only creates new structures for his poems but also challenges conventional poetic forms by addressing issues related to race and class. While he touches on familiar themes like self-representation and historical burdens, Hayes adopts a more reflective approach in “So to Speak,” balancing his usual bravado and playfulness with introspection.
Hayes experiments with American sonnets and sestinas in this collection, incorporating ekphrasis on African American subjects to promote inclusivity and racial restoration. Through poems like “DIY Sestina: What Does This Piece Remind You Of?” and “Illustrated Octavia Butler Do-It-Yourself Sestina,” Hayes breaks free from traditional constraints, encouraging inventive expressions.
As a visually inclined artist, Hayes occasionally includes graphic illustrations and infuses his poems with bluesy musical elements. His work resonates because it embodies authentic voices and personas, presenting a social gospel in pieces like “An Extended Public Service Announcement,” where he urges readers to join in communal reflection.
The collection’s sections, particularly “Watch Your Mouth,” delve into contemporary issues like the Black Lives Matter movement. Through intricate wordplay and enjambments, Hayes captures the urgency and impact of societal speech dynamics. He also intertwines personal and social traumas with fables in “Watch Your Step: The Kafka Virus,” pushing metaphors to evoke deeper reflections on racial injustices and vulnerabilities.
While Hayes’s poetry engages with pressing social matters, his lyrical ambition also focuses on self-discovery. Themes of political activism and introspection intersect in his exploration of art’s transformative potential, as seen in the concluding section of “So to Speak.” Through poems like “Taffeta,” Hayes emphasizes the transformative power of self-change as a means to perceive a changed world.
In his final American sonnet, Hayes underscores the importance of resilience and healing amidst life’s challenges, advocating for art as a pathway to renewal. Whether delving into themes of love, fatherhood, or mythological symbolism, Hayes demonstrates a steadfast belief in art’s ability to reshape our perceptions and navigate the complexities of existence.
