Deaf Republic Poems

I'll admit, I doubted how good this was going to be - I'm not a huge fan of contemporary poetry - but Deaf Republic was so completely beautiful. I was thoroughly entranced, even after a third read-through. The premise: intriguing; the execution: enchanting.

echoes of attic tragedy.

** spoiler alert ** could not stop reading it the moment i started. ilya kaminsky, you genius. craft ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ well-written poems that craft a great story, evaluative of society & people’s complacency driven by (understandable, almost relatable) fear amidst injustice cannot stop thinking about it after reading it. in what ways have we turned (symbolically) deaf amidst a political backdrop like this, and in what instances have we continued to watch—just watch, silently—as lives were taken and dragged across the snow? kaminsky’s work had a chilling symbolism and was representative of war history. the innocent child shot leading to townspeople turning deaf, having “puppet shows” — our country is on stage, death and violation of women & their bodies. i could not help but think of colonial history in the philippines. “Our country has surrendered. / Years later, some will say none of this happened; the shops were open, we were happy and went to see puppet shows in the park. / And yet, on some nights, townspeople dim the lights and teach their children to sign. Our country is the stage: when patrols march, we sit on our hands. Don’t be afraid, a child signs to a tree, a door. / When patrols march, the avenues empty. Air empties, but for the squeaks of strings and the tap tap of wooden fists against the walls.”

This was easily one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.

timely and heartbreaking

Ilya Kaminsky is a truly amazing poet.

This is one of the most unique poetry collections I’ve read. Really incredible story.

3.5 stars

Wow.