Amplify

When rhythm runs through a river it makes a distinctive sound. No one tells the stream to cease its flow because it splashes the banks. Who is threatened by its refreshing mist? We sit and listen to the song it sings, giving us lessons and a sense of peace. The roots of trees are impacted by a flowing river, as they drink from their source. Unfortunately, the same is not always true for humanity. Diversity has been turned into targets in cultural wars, where the individuality is admonished, while seeds of abhorrence and intolerance become the reign.

So, it is out of necessity that Amplify was envisioned as a gathering place of multiplistic voices that reverberate across margins, commonwealths, and continents. This beautiful and unique anthology of poetry has transparency of sound: accent, tenor, and pulse. It resists, yet it is persistent. It is loud yet unapologetic. Here, the poet is a witness to and/or the protagonist of his or her own narrative.

Historically, voices of color have been informed in incomplete depictions, censored, and systemically reduced to single stories. Amplify is inclusive of "othered" voices coexisting in the reading rooms of literature--to be a table of accessible dialogue. Black, Indigenous, and Poets of Color (BIPOC) bring culturally fresh perspectives that awaken and enlighten. The experiences of BIPOC poets are not one-dimensional but ones of depth engaging in interpretations that surge, pulsate, and shape voices.

Amplify represents established and emerging voices, from the page to the stage, high school to old school; from celebrating where one comes from to acceptance of one's self, acknowledging their worth and contribution, fostering a sense of belonging. The caliber of this work took my emotions on a profound journey. Amplify is a rich tapestry of cultural encounters and stirring conversations that hold metaphoric spaces.

We were blessed with a range of submissions from across the United States and Puerto Rico, Canada, Germany, India, Nigeria, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe. Respectively, each were read with care and thoughtful review. There is power in this collection, and I appreciate every poet for their contribution. The cover art was selected for its bold color, reminding me of a commemorative dance--culture turned up on a white surface, daring to be different.

I am grateful to Hayley Mitchell Haugen for this opportunity to curate such a powerful compilation that captures the spirit of Amplify, poems that give sound to the unsung because silence is not an option.

This body of work celebrates, bears witness to, resists, and affirms. It is a river flowing as a collective anthem for such a time as this.

--Sandra Rivers-Gill, Editor