ABOUT THE PROJECT


The editors hope to produce a collection of poems representing a broad range of perspectives on the Military Brat experience. Poets wishing to contribute will please note that while we are not interested in advancing a particular view on the subject, we are highly interested in the many particular views we hope to survey.

Among today's poets all or part of whose rearing was in a military context are James Tate, Marilyn Nelson, Denis Johnson, Henri Cole, Cyrus Cassells, Andrew Hudgins, and William Jay Smith. Some address directly some aspect of the military upbringing, others are more allusive, and while still others consciously disregard the subject, we believe that a poet's youth can't help but inform the work. A few examples of such poems can be found online, as follows:

     Cyrus Cassells, "The Toss"
     Henri Cole, "Oil & Steel"
     Andrew Hudgins, "Day Job and Night Job"
     Marilyn Nelson, "Star-Fix"
     James Tate, "The Lost Pilot"

and in print we have Denis Johnson, "Spaceman Tom and Commander Joe," in The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations Millennium General Assembly.

An example of germane poetry written from a civilian perspective can be found in a poem by Kendra Hamilton, "On Easter Street," in The Goddess of Gumbo.

The editors are eager to learn what further relevant wonders are out there in the vibrant world of contemporary American poetry.