Poetry as Testimony

Focusing on testimonial poetry, this book examines how Holocaust, war, working-class, and 9/11 poetry serve as powerful forms of witness to trauma. The author, Rowland, posits that these poems necessitate a unique analytical approach, distinct from traditional poetry interpretation, due to the weight of the metatext—the original traumatic events. The work emphasizes the need for heightened attentiveness to the emotional and historical contexts that shape these poetic expressions of suffering and resilience.