Aster of Ceremonies: Poems

In his new book, Aster of Ceremonies, JJJJJerome Ellis explores the intersections of blackness, music, and disabled speech, asking what rites we need now and how poetry can help us along the way. He rewrites history, creating a world that blooms backward, reimagining what it means for Black and disabled people to have taken and continue to take their freedom. Ellis counters the attack of "all masters of all vessels" with a family of flowers and models how we can proclaim lost ownership over literature and history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2023
Publisher: Milkweed Editions

A fresh and captivating addition to the Multiverse literary series, penned and curated by the neurodivergent author JJJJJerome Elliss, is Aster of Ceremonies. This captivating work beautifully expands upon the themes and ideas explored in Elliss's debut book and album, The Clearing. The Clearing, described as a "lyrical celebration of and inquiry into the intersections of blackness, music, and disabled speech" (Claudia Rankine), showcases Elliss's unique perspective and artistic vision.

In Aster of Ceremonies, Elliss delves into profound questions about the rites we require in our contemporary world and explores how poetry, sparked by the stars, can guide us toward their fulfillment. He poses thought-provoking inquiries about the relationship between fleeing and feeling, the significance of the voices of those who came before us, and the way in which stutters, infused with those voices, intertwine with our present experiences. Through the grateful invocations of ancestors such as Hannah, Mariah, Kit, Jan, and others, as well as their songs, Elliss rewrites history, crafting a world that unfolds backward, reimagining the possibilities for Black and disabled individuals to claim and sustain their freedom.

By skillfully weaving a chorus of voices from the past and present, Ellis challenges the dominance of "all masters of all vessels" and replaces it with a vibrant tapestry of flowers. He serves as a model, demonstrating how we can reclaim lost ownership over literature and history, much like his brilliant transduction of escaped slave advertisements. With a fervent chant of "Bring me to the well," Ellis implores, channels, and beckons us to embark on a journey of self-discovery and collective belonging. Through this act of bringing and singing, he proclaims our shared connection to diverse worlds where we can gather, heal, and find solace.

The Aster of Ceremonies audiobook, read and performed by the talented JJJJJerome Ellis, is now available for your listening pleasure wherever audiobooks are enjoyed.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 178 x 229 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781639550128