Duende

More about the book

Quincy Troupe writes poetry in waves, where words serve as notes and the music created from them is paramount. He embodies a shamanic presence, conjuring long, repetitive lines that reflect on the sea towards Africa, haunted by the legacies of slavery and racism. His work celebrates fellow artists while expressing a deep longing to reconnect with the past and to break free from it. In the incantatory poem "Ghost Voices," this yearning resonates powerfully. The title poem, "Duende: For García Lorca and Miles Davis," reveals Troupe's core belief: "...secrets, mystery infused in black magic / that enters bodies in forms of music, art / poetry imbuing language with sovereignty / in blood spooling back through violent centuries..." The version of "Avalanche (number 3)" included here differs from its earlier rendition, akin to a jazz artist reinterpreting a familiar song. Troupe's generous spirit shines through in this expansive collection, featuring new works alongside selections from his eleven previous volumes. Remarkably, his energy remains constant, as he engages with the present while also perceiving distant storms on the horizon—challenges we must confront together.