Born on this day August 28, 1952, Rita Dove, an esteemed American poet and essayist, has significantly redefined the art of storytelling through her innovative approach to poetry. Her unique narrative style, which combines historical fact, personal memory, and lyrical expression, has broadened the scope and depth of contemporary poetry. She brings to life the complexities of human experiences in a way that is both universal and deeply personal.
For example, two of Dove’s most acclaimed works, Thomas and Beulah and Sonata Mulattica, serve as perfect examples of her storytelling mastery. Thomas and Beulah, a collection of interconnected poems, traces the lives of Dove’s maternal grandparents from their migration to Ohio in the early 20th century to their deaths in the 1960s. The depth of character development and the richness of the historical context in this work make it more akin to a novel than a traditional poetry collection. It’s a testament to Dove’s ability to weave intricate narratives into compact, poetic forms.
Sonata Mulattica, on the other hand, is a narrative tour de force that tells the forgotten story of George Bridgetower, a biracial violinist who was once Beethoven’s protégé. Through this work, Rita Dove not only resurrects Bridgetower’s legacy but also explores the broader themes of race, identity, and artistry. The book, comprised of poems, prose passages, and play-like dialogues, breaks from conventional poetic structures and challenges the boundaries between different literary genres.
In the hands of Rita Dove, poetry becomes a dynamic storytelling medium that can encapsulate entire lifetimes and historical eras. Her innovative approach to narrative and form has pushed the boundaries of what is possible within poetry, making her not just a masterful poet but also a groundbreaking storyteller.
Dawn Revisited
Imagine you wake up
with a second chance: The blue jay
hawks his pretty wares
and the oak still stands, spreading
glorious shade. If you don’t look back,
the future never happens.
How good to rise in sunlight,
in the prodigal smell of biscuits –
eggs and sausage on the grill.
The whole sky is yours
to write on, blown open
to a blank page. Come on,
shake a leg! You’ll never know
who’s down there, frying those eggs,
if you don’t get up and see.
-Rita Dove
Curated by Jennifer
