Ascent of the Mothers

Noelle Kocot (they/them) is the author of many collections of poetry, including God's Green Earth (Wave Books, 2020), Phantom Pains of Madness (Wave Books, May 2016), Soul in Space (Wave Books, 2013), The Bigger World (Wave Books, 2011), and a book of translations of some of the poems of Tristan Corbière, Poet by Default (Wave Books, 2011). Their previous works include the discography Damon's Room, (Wave Books Pamphlet Series, 2010), Sunny Wednesday (Wave Books, 2009) and Poem for the End of Time and Other Poems (Wave Books, 2006). They are also the author of 4 and The Raving Fortune (both from Four Way Books). Their poems have been anthologized in Best American Poetry in 2001, 2012, and 2013. They are the recipient of awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Academy of American Poets, The Fund for Poetry, the American Poetry Review, and a residency fellowship from the Lannan Foundation. Kocot has taught at the University of Texas New Writers' Project and currently teaches in the Creative Writing Department at the New School. They live in New Jersey and are the Poet Laureate of Pemberton Borough.

• Contents Labyrinthitis18FlowersThe Physical WorldDivinationThe AnimalsGeorge BaileyI pray to be strongBefore a ShowerDrunkAt the HomeInstructions for the WindSong of Covid-19MigraineCrystal GayleA FishDelranPoem for My Goddaughter HannahAscetic, and the endlessGravely ListeningSalvationAscent of the MothersSay ItWhen will I stop punishingLetter to EliWhat is it that I amFar wind chimes a treeOut of HidingThe trees hummingThere is Darkness Over the LandDisasters

These poems catalyze the reader to take pause and contemplate the sorrow and wonder of being human.—Publishers WeeklyIf this was Woodstock, Kocot was Hendrix. I have been to countless readings since but can think of only a few as unexpected, memorable, and moving.—Justin Taylor, Poetry FoundationNoelle Kocot’s poems are like sunlight coming through a window. —Stephanie Sy-Quia, The White ReviewThere seem to be a few noteworthy poets in every generation, those who channel the zeitgeist from a clarifying distance, an artful remove. Noelle Kocot may well belong to this tradition... —Amy Newlove Schroeder, Boston ReviewKocot’s gift as a poet is being able to explain such complexity with such uncompromised frankness. —David Peak, The RumpusKocot’s creativity engenders an excitement comparable to being twelve years old, exposed to good poetry or music or art for the first time, and knowing that, for better or worse, things have been bent. —Nick Sturm, Coldfront Magazine