In this Book
- Requiem, Rwanda
- Book
- 2015
- Published by: Michigan State University Press
summary
A marvelous, moving new collection of poems, Requiem, Rwanda has its roots in 2006, when Laura Apol made her first trip to Rwanda. Apol’s initial goal was to develop, in conjunction with Rwandan and American colleagues, a project using narrative writing to facilitate healing among young survivors of the 1994 genocide. During the time she spent leading workshops, Apol felt moved to write her own poems, and after the writing-for-healing project ended, she returned to Rwanda several times to continue her creative work. The legacy of the genocide—on the people, on the land itself—makes its presence felt in many of the poems. The poems are also accounts of Apol’s relationships with and understandings of people post-genocide—where their stories go, how they reenter their lives, and how a country that has been deeply wounded by its history continues on. These poems don’t shy away from exploring the complications of being a white woman, a Westerner, and a witness in this setting: Apol relates her sense of compassion, privilege, horror, guilt, voyeurism, obligation, and love. This new collection is a rich testimonial to the strength of a nation and its people. The collection includes a closing essay, "Writer as a Witness."
Table of Contents
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- Prologue: A Brief History of Rwanda
- pp. xv-xxii
- Introit
- Dies Irae
- Early April in Rwanda
- pp. 9-10
- Six Seconds
- pp. 11-12
- Genocide Site 2: Ntarama Church
- pp. 16-17
- Mother of God
- pp. 19-20
- Church at Nyange
- pp. 21-22
- Lacrimosa
- The Lives of Others
- pp. 28-29
- Confession
- p. 33
- Return to Remera
- p. 34
- Sanctus
- At the Hotel Bar
- p. 39
- Before Memorial Week: April 5, 2009
- pp. 42-43
- Poolside after Dark
- p. 44
- Samuel and the Boys
- pp. 47-48
- Gorilla Family Amahoro
- pp. 49-50
- Reparations
- p. 52
- Language Lessons
- pp. 55-58
- Benedictus
- Notes on the Poems
- pp. 63-70
- Epilogue: Writer as Witness
- pp. 71-90
- Additional Resources
- pp. 95-98
- Acknowledgments
- pp. 99-101
Additional Information
ISBN
9781609174446
Related ISBN(s)
9781611861587, 9781628951363, 9781628961362
MARC Record
OCLC
903314496
Pages
123
Launched on MUSE
2015-02-12
Language
English
Open Access
No