The Gardens of Our Childhoods

John Belk's debut poetry collection, "The Gardens of Our Childhoods," explores the intersection of masculinity, culture, and identity through the spectacle of professional wrestling, offering a tender and nuanced exploration of toxic masculinities and the constant deconstruction and reconstruction of identities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 74 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2022
Publisher: Autumn House Press

In his captivating debut, John Belk delves into the realm of professional wrestling to uncover the authentic essence amidst the artificiality, exploring the projections we construct, evade, and revel in. Through the lens of The Gardens of Our Childhoods, the boundary between spectacle and reality blurs, inviting us to peer deeply into the intricate tapestry of American culture and masculinity. Belk employs the captivating spectacle of wrestling to delve into the intricate intersections of patriarchy and gender, unraveling the processes of identity formation and performance. At the same time, he creates space for tenderness, queerness, and resistance to normative structures, fostering the possibility of love and admiration. This literary masterpiece is populated by iconic and contemporary wrestlers, including André the Giant, Hulk Hogan, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Ricky Steamboat, Bruno Sammartino, and Marcus "Buff" Bagwell, among many others. Ultimately, The Gardens of Our Childhoods revolves around the ongoing deconstruction and reconstruction of our identities, mirroring the dynamic nature of wrestling narratives that blend fiction and reality. Like wrestlers in their theatrical and intricate storylines, we embark on a journey of projecting and inhabiting identities while growing into and challenging the scripts we write for ourselves and those imposed upon us.

The Gardens of Our Childhoods emerges as the recipient of Autumn House Press's Rising Writer Prize in Poetry, recognizing its profound exploration of identity, masculinity, and culture through the captivating spectacle of professional wrestling.

Weight: 122g
Dimension: 152 x 216 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781637680353