Elizabeth Alexander Shares Work with Exonians

Elizabeth Alexander’s gold hoops swung under the assembly hall spotlights as she leaned over the lectern—resembling her time at the inauguration of former President Barack Obama—and her voice swelled as she moved from stanza to stanza.

The Lamont Poetry Committee continued its 2018-19 series, a collection of events featuring prolific poets including Julia Alvarez, with Alexander’s work. During her decades in academia, Alexander has been the author or co-author of 14 books, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, President of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the chair of the African-American Studies Department at Yale.

Alexander described her experience with all genres of writing and how she found creative writing. “When I got out of college, I was a newspaper [reporter], and after, I went into creative writing program where I found a poetry teacher,” she said. “I showed him the things I was writing in my journal and he said, ‘You're actually a poet.’ At that moment, I knew I wanted to write more than anything.”

There is a distinction between writing as a hobby and as a profession, Alexander noted. “I think that many people like to write, but to really be a poet as a profession is very, very, very hard,” she said. “Especially when writing poetry, because you have to find a job, but it’s almost something you can’t do.”

Reflecting upon the markings of great poetry, Alexander concluded that originality is central to the piece. “Poems are like the people whom we love,” she said. “We know their voices and that is a voice that you will remember.”

Upper Elizabeth Kostina believed that Alexander’s own voice was very memorable. Kostina explained that Alexander’s eclectic style was a testament to their skill as a poet. “I think she is a really brilliant writer,” Kostina said. “In American Sublime, she's proven herself to be a master at so many different forms and styles of poetry. Short to long, syllables and rhyme.”

Upper Ayush Noori added that the historical aspect of Alexander’s writing distinguished it from other works. “She addresses black empowerment, among many other [things, and] she touches a little bit on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the ’80s. [Those] are themes we need to discuss more that aren’t discussed enough in our society,” he said.

Prep Lehka Masoudi also praised Alexander’s bravery in writing these poems. “She’s not afraid to shy away from these very controversial topics,” she said.

Another aspect of the poetry that many enjoyed was the lyrical element, senior Sarah Hardcastle said. “The warmth that her words fill you with when you read them, aloud or on the page, is remarkable,” she said. “If poetry is the human voice, Alexander's poems sing songs that reach right into the heart and call you to listen.”

Kostina remarked that there is always more than what initially meets the eye with Alexander’s poetry. “Once you look into her work more and more, there is so much packed into the simplest lines,” they said. “Her language does not doubt the intelligence of the reader: she uses few words at times but uses beautiful, intricate, dual words in order to form this perfect image.”

Noori reflected on Alexander’s diction, and hoped that Exonians would learn from hearing her speak. “I hope it teaches us how to be better poets [and] how to pay closer attention to our language,” he said. “Language is among one of the most profound tools we have, as youth and as Exonians, to spread our voice and create change in the world. Part of what makes our education so valuable is our attention and precision of language.”

Upper Maureena Murphy remarked that Alexander’s poetry resonated with her. “I think her work may have been a struggle for some students,” Murphy said. “When we engage with the narrative of a black woman, especially one presented in poetic form, on a campus that lacks people of color, it is convenient for us to read her work and not fully engage with it. As a black woman, I was able to engage with Elizabeth Alexander and, through that engagement, contribute to the fruitful discussion my class was having.”

Hardcastle reflected on how the general Exeter community received Alexander. “I think many people were touched by her work,” she said. “I think there was something unique for every person somewhere in the poems she shared. The parts of her memoir she read made me tear up, and there were so many snaps that you could just tell she had everyone hooked.”

English Instructor Rebecca Moore felt similarly to Hardcastle, mentioning that students were captivated by Alexander’s words. “The students listened with … care––my students in class have just started reading her work and so far find plenty to discuss,” she said.

Alexander herself lauded the Exeter audience and its unique listen abilities. “Everyone listened so attentively and curiously and hungrily and with engagement; both seriously and feelingly,” she said. “That doesn't always happen.”

Chair of the Lamont Poetry Committee Todd Hearon noted that the slew of accomplished poets speaking at the Academy are together advancing Exeter’s creative community. “Hers was one of the warmer and more enthusiastic receptions I’ve seen in my time here,” he said. “She and Julia Alvarez this year, and Tyehimba Jess last year, were very visibly important to our students, [both] culturally [and] imaginatively.”

Reflecting on their experience reading Alexander’s works, Kostina concluded that reading and hearing Alexander’s works is a journey each time. “She does not equate poetry with simplicity, but at a first glance, her work may look deceptively simple but is in fact so inherently complex with so many nuances that understanding one reference is like falling into a rabbit hole,” Kostina said. “You can't stop, because you're seeing the entire Wonderland of references, the literary connections; and it is gorgeous but overwhelming, and you just want to stop to take it all in.”