Spring Break
Natasha Trethewey writes of 'terrible beauty'
Laura Katzer
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Culture
Pulitzer-prize winner Natasha Trethewey's euphonic voice floated over the crowd gathered to hear her on Thursday night. Trethewey read selections from her Pulitzer-winning book "Native Guard."
She spoke of a deep and conflicted love for the South and her home state of Mississippi.
"I write of the terrible beauty of my Mississippi," Trethewey explained.
She talked about why she chose to write "Native Guard." Trethewey explained that she wanted to renew and reassess her relationship with the South where she grew up. She wanted to tell the other part of history about a state that clearly honors its confederate heritage and has all but erased the rest.
Some of her poems speak in general terms and others tell very personal moments. In some poems, she delves far back into history and tells the plight of black soldiers in the civil war. In other poems she talked about her mother, her father and her experiences growing up in Mississippi.
Before she read the poem "Miscegenation," Trethewey explained the extent of the South's anti-miscegenation stance and how it affected her family. Trethewey had a black mother and a white father.
"Eleven years ago Alabama voted to take the anti-miscegenation laws off the books and 40 percent of the population voted to keep the laws," Trethewey said. "So at least symbolically my parents marriage would be illegal. Children born like me, illegal."
The topics of her poems were far-ranging and filled with references to other poets or mythology. They were all rooted in the South and Southern life.
Before reading her last and new poem "Liturgy" she explained she was inspired by the rebuilding efforts in Mississippi that still continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Trethewey explained her use of the word nostos, which is the root word of nostalgia and liturgy, which means a duty to one's state. It was a proper end to her lovely reading.
Afterward, there was a well-attended book signing and hors d'oeuvres reception.
Trethewey's reading was the final event for the Midwest Poets Series' 25th season. The reading was held at 7:30 p.m. in the Mabee Theater on Rockhurst University's campus.
lkatzer@unews.com
She spoke of a deep and conflicted love for the South and her home state of Mississippi.
"I write of the terrible beauty of my Mississippi," Trethewey explained.
She talked about why she chose to write "Native Guard." Trethewey explained that she wanted to renew and reassess her relationship with the South where she grew up. She wanted to tell the other part of history about a state that clearly honors its confederate heritage and has all but erased the rest.
Some of her poems speak in general terms and others tell very personal moments. In some poems, she delves far back into history and tells the plight of black soldiers in the civil war. In other poems she talked about her mother, her father and her experiences growing up in Mississippi.
Before she read the poem "Miscegenation," Trethewey explained the extent of the South's anti-miscegenation stance and how it affected her family. Trethewey had a black mother and a white father.
"Eleven years ago Alabama voted to take the anti-miscegenation laws off the books and 40 percent of the population voted to keep the laws," Trethewey said. "So at least symbolically my parents marriage would be illegal. Children born like me, illegal."
The topics of her poems were far-ranging and filled with references to other poets or mythology. They were all rooted in the South and Southern life.
Before reading her last and new poem "Liturgy" she explained she was inspired by the rebuilding efforts in Mississippi that still continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Trethewey explained her use of the word nostos, which is the root word of nostalgia and liturgy, which means a duty to one's state. It was a proper end to her lovely reading.
Afterward, there was a well-attended book signing and hors d'oeuvres reception.
Trethewey's reading was the final event for the Midwest Poets Series' 25th season. The reading was held at 7:30 p.m. in the Mabee Theater on Rockhurst University's campus.
lkatzer@unews.com
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