Praisesong for the People: Poems from the Heart and Soul of Texas, ed. Amanda Johnston

Praisesong for the People: Poems from the Heart and Soul of Texas is a wonderfully diverse, yet unified anthology curated by 

61st Texas Poet Laureate Amanda Johnston. The collection presents a wide range of styles, forms, and subjects by 70 Texas poets of varying backgrounds, and seeing what each poet does with the theme of "praise" is compelling. 

While there are sainted and ecstatic tones throughout Praisesong, what’s striking is that most these poems are odes to everyday heroes in life: hairdressers, elders, administrators, teachers, parents, health professionals, therapists, bus drivers, chefs, homeless shelters, custodians, activists, baristas, neighbors, and one’s self. There are even praise poems for: animals, protectors of trees, what's been lost, and those who have left us,. 

This reimagining and expanding the possibilities of praise breaks new literary ground. 

The poems hold Texas in the light with multitude expressions of pride in community, compassion for others, and valuing social justice. 

There are numerous standouts in the collection, including: 

 

“alumni, those against tuition dollars saturated in Gaza’s blood. The

price of becoming critical thinkers, beaten when demonstrating” -Sara Bawany

 

“I celebrate

         the Mexican long-nosed bat

dazed                   on agave nectar

or               finding sanctuary in cool caves…

 

& poets, sowing           heirloom griefs             that bud, that break

through                cemetary soil—            I celbrate you

         when endangered” -Claire Bowman

 

 

“I want to praise the person who reminds me that I am

safe, 

centered,

and whole—

 

I want to praise myself.” -Audrea Diaz

 

“Praise be to

you who bent a policy

to fit all bodies…” -Jasmine Games

 

“Praise the little moments of seeing.

Praise the pause and patience we share

in the pixelated moments of life.” – Amanda Johnston

 

"Alabado sea Mr. Martinez, Ms. Bonilla, Ms. Lino, 

and Mr. Galvan, the environmentalists, the custodians, 

the fixers, the architects, the ones who walks past 

you, set up your day, break down your evening, they leave

no trace they were ever here, when they take a last breath

in the building, your world resets. They provide a new day."  -Lupe Mendez

 

“Community journeyed to water

the 900-year-old cypress,

here well before starred and striped

flags rippled this side of the sky.” -Emmy Pérez

 

“What is important about a life   access   justice

 

Allowed to drink

from the colored only fountains

She participated in sit-ins

at the Kress Department Store

on Polk Street” -Phillip Periman 

 

“And yet, I can’t help but count the miles, revisit the route I chose.

It reminds me just how big Texas is.

 

Ten hours later and I’m still embraced by its rivers, its hillsides,

its unending sky, thick and glistening like layer cake.” -jo reyes-boitel 

 

“…My son learned from / TV that there are bad / guys and good guys. No, / I tell him, only / bad acts or good acts. Mistakes / and our ever / trying…” -Nomi Stone

 

“…Food prepared / with steady, daily attentiveness, a love of fresh ingredients / so untarnished it reminds me of Vermeer going broke / in 17th century Netherlands just to purchase lapis lazuli” -Alexandra van de Kamp

 

and 

“at your gravestone      harvested wild-

flowers surrender their shape    & the atoms

of ourselves grow bluer   twilit, oh but

 

You & I    are limestone” – Annar Veröld-Miranda

Many of these poems brim with wisdom, vividness, and a tangible energy of love that feels fresh and uplifting. Several of the poets generously share vulnerability and openness, allowing for profound connection with the reader. 

Praisesong reminds us to be grateful for life’s blessings and allies, and in that way, it provides medicine. So praise to the praisers, praise to the unity.