Ego of a Nation
New poetry by Mohawk/Tuscarora Six Nations writer Janet Rogers 2019/2020.
During the many terms of residencies Janet embarked on throughout 2018 and 2019, she took on several literary projects, some small, some large, some still in the making and one; this one titled The Ego of a Nation, ready to be birthed into the world as this poet’s 7th collection.
Ego of a Nation is a celebration of human territories, bodies of lands in love with the elements with ways that nurture relationships with super-special connectedness. Full of verses serving justice, both poetic and lawful and playful spiritual interactions. Ego of a Nation is the culmination of Janet’s elevated place of poetic reflections marinated with time, experience and skilled oratory. Her poems are full of joyous observations from a free spirit, sacred reflections of an Indigenous woman and creative recounting of native survival and excellence.
With staccato beats embedded into each line, these poems exist as accessible sound bites of song. They resonate like a distant train whistle. They take the reader places, real, imagined and personal. These poems are a 57 year-old’s collected wisdoms, offered back as Auntie teachings in rhythmic poetic rhymes, eclectic experimental lines and foot stomping statements. Get with it.
Brave Enough for Books, Show Me Yours, Opiates; are just some of the evocative and inviting titles harboured within The Ego of a Nation.
★★★★★
“From within a time of fear, racism and misunderstanding, Janet Marie Rogers offers us an invitation into the intimate and ancestral depths of a mind expertly attuned to song. A voice that sings that “love is silly/but we/still love. This is a collection that speaks to the reality of us all as treaty people. Without a doubt, among the most direct, unrelenting and important poetic offerings of our time.”
Liz Howard - 2016 Griffin Poetry Prize Winner for Infinite Citizen of the Shaking Tent
“Janet Marie Rogers’ poetry confronts the “ego of a nation” by drumming and singing the percussive language of Indigeneity. The table of contents reads like an index of “shrapnel of language “ she and we can hear in the discursive ruins of colonization. Within the uplifting reverberations of this rap poetry Rogers reminds us that love and patience are necessary citizens of the home we all want.”
Fred Wah - Parliamentary Poet Laureate 2011-2013, Officer of the Order of Canada, Governor General Literary Award Winner
“Janet’s work reads like someone on truth serum. She digs deep and excavates lost facts with sharp tools and soft brushes. Mindful and passionate, she quenches thirst and shines light into dark corners. Thank you for your work.”
Tanya Tagaq - Polaris Music Prize Winner, author of Split Tooth
“Janet Marie’s words stir up the sludge at the bottom of my lake. Her writing opens up the door to creative possibilities for me so that all I have to do is walk through.”
Tom Wilson - Lee Harvey Osmond leader singer/songwriter, author of Beautiful Scars