Perennial Fashion Presence Falling

Fred Moten's latest poetry collection, "Perennial Fashion: Presence Falling," combines criticism, poetry, and theory, exploring the infinitude of the present and the history of the future through shaped prose and polyphonies. Moten approaches the sublime, reveling in the intermediary space of microtonal thought.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2023
Publisher: Wave Books

“Some ekphrastic evening, this'll be both criticism and poetry, and failing that, fall somewhere that seems like in between.” So writes poet, critic, theorist, and MacArthur fellow Fred Moten in his latest poetry collection, Perennial Fashion: A Presence Falling. Much like the poems found in The Feel Trio (Letter Machine 2014), which was a National Book Award finalist, and All That Beauty (Letter Machine, 2019), the poems here present Moten's "shaped prose" on the page and the dizzying brilliance of both polyphonies and paronomasia. Within this collection, the poems hold an innate quantum curiosity about the infinitude of the present and the ways in which one could observe the history of the future. Poems beget poems, overflowing and flowering, urging deeper etymological investigations. In Perennial Fashion: A Presence Falling, Moten approaches the sublime, relishing that intermediary space of microtonal thought.

Fred Moten is a poet, critic, theorist, and MacArthur fellow known for his innovative and interdisciplinary approach to literature. His work often blends elements of poetry, criticism, and theory, creating complex and thought-provoking texts. Moten's poetry is characterized by its use of "shaped prose," a style that combines the formal structure of prose with the poetic language of poetry. This approach allows him to create intricate and layered poems that explore a wide range of themes, from the nature of language to the politics of race and identity.

In his latest collection, Perennial Fashion: A Presence Falling, Moten continues to push the boundaries of poetic form and language. The poems in this collection are characterized by their use of polyphonies and paronomasia, which create a rich and complex soundscape on the page. Moten's poems are also deeply interested in the infinitude of the present and the ways in which one could observe the history of the future. Through his use of ekphrastic language and imagery, Moten creates a sense of wonder and awe at the world around us, while also questioning the ways in which we perceive and interpret it.

One of the most striking features of Perennial Fashion: A Presence Falling is its approach to the sublime. Moten relishes the intermediary space of microtonal thought, where the boundaries between different modes of thought and language are blurred. He explores the ways in which the sublime can be found in everyday objects and experiences, such as the sound of a train passing by or the sight of a tree growing in a field. By approaching the sublime in this way, Moten creates a sense of awe and wonder at the world, while also questioning the ways in which we seek to dominate and control it.

Another notable aspect of Perennial Fashion: A Presence Falling is its use of ekphrastic language and imagery. Moten draws on a wide range of sources, from art history to philosophy to popular culture, to create a series of interconnected poems that explore the relationship between language and the world. He uses ekphrastic language to create a sense of intimacy and connection between the reader and the world around them, while also challenging the traditional boundaries between poetry and prose.

Overall, Perennial Fashion: A Presence Falling is a stunning and innovative collection of poetry that showcases Fred Moten's unique and powerful voice. Through his use of polyphonies, paronomasia, and ekphrastic language, Moten creates a series of interconnected poems that explore the infinitude of the present and the ways in which we can observe the history of the future. This collection is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary poetry and the boundaries between different modes of thought and language.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 229 x 236 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781950268764