Tanksley, Lamont, Sr

A family of Words: : 2021 Poetry Anthology Tanksley, Lamont, Sr

This work is a collection of poems written, mostly, during the last quarter of the year 2021. Every contributor is, through marriage, birth, love, and acceptance, a member of a single extended family. The poets span generations, genders, races, and experiences worldwide; many writing beautifully and openly for the first time while others are seasoned writers, performers, spoken word artists, and award-winning poets. The poems present stunning imagery, revealing remembrances, raw emotions, stunning syntax, and beautiful description of the natural world, the things we are, what we remember, and where we are from. The poems are loosely organized around two themes: 1) I Remember by Joe Brainard and 2) Where I Am From by George Ella Lyon. These poems were used as writing prompts for most contributors.

To broaden the enjoyment and length of the book, quotes, public domain poems, off-topic poems written by family, pictures, sayings, and South and West African folktales are littered throughout the book.

This work is a gift to the world, a family project, a chance to share, treasured memories, and art therapy for the Tanksley family. Many of the poems in this collection have helped us to confront a number of troublesome issues from the past, acknowledge growth, share things about ourselves, and remember people, places, and things that should not be forgotten.

More than art therapy, it was a joyous experience. Creating this book, together, was a wonderful family project captured in an enduring format that can be shared.