Mother Tongues

Tsitsi Ella Jaji is a poet and scholar from Zimbabwe. Associate professor of English at Duke University, she is the author of two books of poetry: Beating the Graves, awarded honorable mention for the 2015 Sillerman Prize, and Carnaval. Her poems have appeared in several anthologies and in journals including Black Renaissance Noire, Prairie Schooner, Bitter Oleander, New Coin, and Jalada.

• Mother TonguesTable of Contents (i)Dedication: Our lingering embrace iiimother tongue (1)1 On the Isle of LesbosOur Mother of Stone DaughteringAnd They Didn't DieIn Praise of the Great Cat* lingua: corralFive BagatellesFingeringsflareSymphony Dinner with Piano SoloistBlue NoteBandwagonCooking with MilesRelaxing with Miles * lingua: tongue-tiedTell me something goodA Song at DawnAuxiliaryPrelude to a KissFirst Guardian of Flight: The Angel of TimeSecond Guardian of Flight: The Angel of RefinementAfter Tonsure* lingua: ladyfingersEthiopia Stretches Forth Her HandsManual for Initiation into the Zebra SisterhoodElectioneeredOld NewsAfter the Coup (or Not)The Crystal RiverProfileHow I Write* lingua: good tastReal SimpleWay Out WestAutumn LeavesMarvin in Stereo/Right EarMarvin in Stereo/Left Earmorning, 11.9.16Burying Willie, Our LionMalick Sidibé's Camera Calls* lingua: gorgonBenin BronzeUnaccompanied MinorChildren's SwingsPond in Museum GardenRitual ObjectThe Body Countsat warWildcat * lingua: a quick tongueThe Graves SuiteBallade: Thyroid Goes Rogue3 Intermezzi for Unaccompanied ThyroidMisterioso: Iodine 131 Meets the Royal ThyroidCadenza: Thyroid Rides AgainKoan of the Great Cat* lingua: babbleWe are the darker sisterBoy LotusThree Lessons on a FridayStumbling BlockFacing El GrecoWhen Thomas Finally Rolled Up, I SaidInfinitive