Reviewed by: Caleb Turrentine
Birmingham Poet Laureate to publish powerful poetry collection
Reading time: 4 minutes
Salaam Green, Birmingham’s first Poet Laureate, will release her debut poetry collection titled The Other Revival: Poems and Reckonings on Tuesday, June 17.
The upcoming release tells the story of a Black woman poet asked to perform her work at plantations. The poetry tells a deep, spirited story about ancestors, remembrance and the journey of healing.
Read on to learn more about the author and how she has contributed significantly to Birmingham’s literary arts scene.
Who is Salaam Green?
Before taking on her role as Poet Laureate, Salaam spent over 16 years as an arts educator, healer and community leader.
She was first inspired to channel her inner love for poetry when she began reading under a huge oak tree in front of her childhood home. In an interview with Bham Now, she recalls carrying around a pink diary and writing short excerpts of poetry to herself.
Salaam grew up attending traditional revivals—deep religious gatherings with historical and cultural roots. The poems to be featured in The Other Revival: Poems and Reckonings resonate with Salaam’s personal experiences and honor her rich ancestry.
“I believe as a poet and storyteller it is imperative to tell the truth from the veins of your own imagination and bring to the page the consciousness of all America in particular the south.
“I am a black southern woman who adores my cultural heritage and sharing poetry that gives homage and honor to my ancestors I hope comes across in this collection.”
Salaam Green
The Wallace House
Now, Salaam continues to serve her term as Birmingham’s Poet Laureate by making various appearances at community literary art events as well as serving as a Kellogg Foundation Racial Healing Facilitator and Road Scholar. She has held residencies at UAB, Auburn, and recently, the Wallace House, where many of her poems are centered.
Built in 1841, the Wallace House holds painful memories and stories of the 39 enslaved people who constructed the house and worked for generations.
“In essence, The Other Revival is a narrative of my personal journey as well.
“As a poet in residence at the Wallace House I became very ill. The initial plan for the book was to interview both black and white descendants and write custom poems.
“In 2020, I became a certified listener poet with the Good Listening project and began listening to the stories of healthcare professionals and writing custom poems.
“I wanted to take this same process and bring it to the descendants of the Wallace House. However, after getting ill I began to have my own revival, awakening to what stories I wanted to tell and needed to be told.”
Salaam Green
The Other Revival: Poems and Reckonings coming June 17
You can immerse yourself in these stories of redemption and homecoming on June 17.
“I am very grateful to the black descendants and white descendants of the slave owner for courageously sitting with me while I listened to their stories and allowing me to write custom poems and contribute them to this collection.
“As a debut poetry author at the age 49 I have found the liberation of writing stories and poetry that speaks to the lived and living experiences of people who may not always be heard refreshing.
“As the poet laureate of Birmingham I also recognize the significance of writing while working in community and modeling the creative life for others.
“I am blessed to be in this position at such a time as this and to share my life and words from the black, southern, womanist experience.”
Salaam Green
The Other Revival: Poems and Reckonings is available for preorder at the following:
Want a sneak peek? Pre-order your copy of The Other Revival and comment “Ordered” on Salaam Green’s pinned Book Announcement on Instagram or TikTok. To celebrate Juneteenth—and thank you for supporting Black authors—she’ll DM you two of her favorite poems from the book.
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