ballast

The book "ballast" is a poetic sequence that uses the 1841 slave revolt aboard the brig Creole as a lens to view the vitality of Black lives and the afterlife of slavery. 135 people escaped chattel slavery that day, but their story has been lost to time and indifference. Quenton Baker's book is an attempt at incomplete redress, using imagination, deep empathy, and skilled lyricism to recount the revolt. It is a relentless, wrenching, and gorgeously written book that reclaims one of the most important but overlooked events in US history and contributes to contemporary poetry.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 150 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2023
Publisher: Haymarket Books

A poetic sequence that uses the 1841 slave revolt aboard the brig Creole as a lens to explore the vitality of Black lives and the afterlife of slavery is presented below:

In 1841, a remarkable event unfolded on the ship Creole, marking the only successful, large-scale revolt of American-born enslaved people in American history. On that day, 135 individuals bravely escaped the clutches of chattel slavery, forever altering their lives and the course of history. The event was documented in US Senate documents, including letters exchanged between US and British consulates in The Bahamas and depositions from the white crew on the ship. However, the story of the 135 escapees has been lost to time and indifference, with no known record or testimony from those who risked everything to freedom.

Quenton Baker's ballast is an attempt at incomplete redress, a poetic exploration of the Creole revolt through the lens of hands-on redactions. Baker skillfully rephrases the narrative of the state, creating a rich tapestry of words that connect readers to his poetic process. Layers of ink unfold as the book delves into the lives of the 135 escapees, offering a defiant reclamation of one of the most important but overlooked events in US history. ballast is a relentless, wrenching, and gorgeously written work that refuses to be silenced, serving as an essential contribution to contemporary poetry.

Through his meticulous redactions, Baker breathes new life into the historical record, offering a poignant and powerful testament to the resilience and determination of Black individuals in the face of adversity. ballast is a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate the past, challenge the present, and inspire a brighter future. It is a reminder that the legacy of slavery continues to shape our world, and that the stories of those who fought against it must be heard and remembered.

Weight: 310g
Dimension: 154 x 277 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642599022