Counting Descent

By Clint Smith

Clint Smith s debut poetry collection, Counting Descent, is a coming of age story that seeks to complicate our conception of lineage and tradition. Smith explores the cognitive dissonance that results from belonging to a community that unapologetically celebrates black humanity while living in a world that often renders blackness a caricature of fear. His poems move fluidly across personal and political histories, all the while reflecting on the social construction of our lived experiences. Smith brings the reader on a powerful journey forcing us to reflect on all that we learn growing up, and all that we seek to unlearn moving forward."

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John Green: “Okay, poetry. I don't know why but I've read a lot of poetry this year and it's been a tremendous consolation to me... And lastly, Clint Smith's "Counting Descent".”