In this week’s episode of “Beyond the Verse,” the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya explore the poem ‘dear white america’ by Danez Smith, a powerful piece by one of the most influential contemporary poets.

They discuss ‘dear white america’ (2017), examining not only the systemic injustices and racial trauma addressed in the poem, but also the cultural and personal dimensions that shape Smith’s work. Joe and Maiya delve into Smith’s literary influences, the impact of spoken word on their poetry, and their significant role in the modern American literary canon.

Get PDFs on ‘dear white america’ exclusive to Poetry+ users:

For more information on Smith and their work, check out poemanaylsis.com, where you can find a vast selection of analyzed poems, with PDFs to aid, and explorations in our extensive PDF Learning Library - see our Danez Smith PDF Guide.

Plus, stay tuned to get some recommendations for alternate poets inspired by Smith’s work!

Tune in and Discover:

Smith’s position in the canon and role in modern American literature
Key themes throughout ‘dear white america’ and the poet’s other works
Smith’s background and poetic influences
The significance of the epistolary form, incarceration, and historical context in the poem

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

As always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

Inconsistent Miracles in Danez Smith's 'dear white america'

Beyond the Verse