"Original French text and English translations of Afro-Creole poetry published in L'Union and La Tribune (Civil War-era New Orleans newspapers established by free people of color), with a scholarly introduction and brief biographies of the poets"--

"Creole poets have always eluded easy definition, infusing European poetic forms with Louisiana themes and Native American and African influences to produce an impressive variety of highly accomplished verses. The first major collection of its kind, Creole Echoes contains over a hundred of these poems by more than thirty different poets, presented by M. Lynn Weiss in their original French alongside new English translations by Norman R. Shapiro.The poems gathered here were all composed in French by Louisiana residents of European, African, and Caribbean origin. Their themes range from love and history to nightmare and childhood recollection. In these pages somber elegies meet whimsical surprises, and rhyming animal fables meet political panegyrics. "

Edited by William Wright and Paul Ruffin, The Southern Poetry Anthology, Volume V: Georgia brings together over one hundred of Georgia's poets, including David Bottoms, Natasha Trethewey, Leon Stokesbury, Thomas Lux, Kathryn Stripling Byer, Alice Friman, Judson Mitcham, and Stephen Corey, as well as myriad other luminous voices. The volume marks the fifth of the seriesArt & Literature has called “one of the most ambitious projects in contemporary Southern letters.”

Louisiana has long been recognized for its production of talented writers, and its poets in particular have shined. From the early poetry of the state to the work crafted in the present day, Louisiana has nurtured and exported a rich and diverse poetic tradition. In Louisiana Poets: A Literary Guide authors Catharine Savage Brosman and Olivia McNeely Pass assess the achievements of Louisiana poets from the past hundred years who, Brosman and Pass assert, deserve both public notice and careful critical examination. Louisiana Poets presents the careers and works of writers whose verse is closely connected to the peoples, history, and landscapes of Louisiana or whose upbringing or artistic development occurred in the state. Brosman and Pass chose poets based on the scope, abundance, and excellence of their work; their critical reception; and the local and national standing of the writer and work. The book treats a wide range of forty poets—from national bestsellers to local celebrities—detailing their histories and output. Intended to be of broad interest and easy to consult, Louisiana Poets showcases the corpus of Louisiana poetry alongside its current profile. Brosman and Pass have created a guide that provides a way for readers to discover, savor, and celebrate poets who have been inspired in and by the Pelican State.

Brought together here in one volume are sixty-seven vibrant poets united by deep ties to Louisiana. They sing of this uncommon place in voices enticingly diverse. Professor, grandmother, petroleum landman, insurance salesman—they are black and white; young and old; French- and English-speaking; native, transient, displaced, and even “recovering” Louisianians. They hail not only from cities, small towns, and farms throughout Louisiana, but also from states across the country where, despite time and distance, many continue to think of themselves as belonging to the bayous and cottonfields of their former home. Included are writers of considerable renown—such as Catharine Savage Brosman, Kelly Cherry, Andrei Codrescu, Yusef Komunyakaa, Pinkie Gordon Lane, David Middleton, Sue Owen, and Dave Smith—and others known better regionally. Each finds in poetry’s images, sounds, and forms the means to express personal encounters with the dilemmas of modern life and the age-old issues of love, guilt, family, death, and friendship. A rich array of styles, perspectives, and experiences, Uncommonplace delivers impressive proof of the creative spirit alive in the state and the power of place to unleash that spirit.

A broad overview of the tremendous achievement of Louisiana writers in the Creole tradition

In the melting pot of Louisiana, diverse cultures have melded together over centuries to create its own unique flavor. Situated off the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana is home to a thriving fishing, seafood, and shipping industry that brings the world to their doorstep. And in its most famous city, New Orleans, the raucous sounds of jazz fill the streets in this down-home land of enchantment. Poetry is in the air here. In Louisiana's Best Emerging Poets, 28 up-and-coming poets have their own chance to shine. Covering a wide array of topics ranging from love and heartbreak, family and friendship, the inherent beauty of nature, and so much more, these young talents will amaze you. Containing 1-3 poems per poet, this anthology is a compelling introduction to the great wordsmiths of tomorrow.

Fertile Repository holds poems that grew from the life experiences of the 16 authors in this book, whose combined 1000 plus years of living experience is fertile ground indeed. Out of this Louisiana soil came each poem, a unique flower that stemmed from the mind of the poet, gathered here to form the bouquet that is this collection of personal emotions, experiences, and memories of life in the 20th and 21st centuries. The biographies of the contributing writers illustrate the wide variety of backgrounds the poets have, though they all now live in the fertile clay and loam of South Louisiana.The writers in this book do have a common root; they have all been students of Patricia Ward's Poetry Class at People Program of New Orleans, a school offering classes for people aged 50 and above. At the request of then director, friend and former colleague LaVerne Kappel, Patricia Ward, a retired New Orleans public school teacher, started the class in 2008. When in 2010, LaVerne said "Pat, we need to have a poetry reading," then began yearly Sunday afternoon poetry readings by noted Louisiana poets, some sponsored by the Louisiana Endowment for the Arts. Many Louisiana Poets and Poet Laureates have presented, including poets John Gery, Jerry Ward, Gina Ferrara, Nivi Osundare, and Kelley Harris-DeBerry, and Louisiana Poet Laureates Darrel Bourque, Julie Kane, Ava Leavell Haymon, Peter Cooley and Jack Bedell. Pat's class and the public at large are always invited to listen, ask questions and attend the reception. This book collective of various poets associated with the People Program of New Orleans, an educational outreach for seniors over the age of 50 offered through the Sisters of Saint Joseph in New Orleans, LA. Life affirming poetry offerings in the form of haiku, sonnets, villanelles, ballads, odes, and free verse. Many of the poems are illustrated by New Orleans' artists Lisette Copping, Craig Berthold, Miriam Hirsch and various illustrations of the authors.