T.J. Anderson III's poem Things to Declare, featured in his collection t/here it is, delves into themes of identity, memory, and cultural legacy. The poem reflects on the complexities of selfhood, particularly within the African American experience, and the interplay between personal history and broader societal narratives. Anderson's work often incorporates elements of jazz, using its improvisational nature to mirror the fluidity of identity and the nuances of cultural expression.

In Things to Declare, Anderson navigates the tensions between the personal and the collective, the past and the present. The poem serves as a meditation on the declarations we make about ourselves and the truths we choose to reveal or conceal. Through his lyrical and inventive language, Anderson invites readers to consider the weight of history and the power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of self and community.

This poem, like much of Anderson's work, challenges readers to engage with the complexities of identity and the ways in which our personal narratives are intertwined with cultural and historical contexts. It underscores the importance of acknowledging and articulating one's experiences as a means of asserting presence and agency in a world that often seeks to marginalize certain voices.


Things to Declare

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Things to Declare

TJ Anderson Poet

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