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"In the poetic tradition of Walt Whitman...a stunning
history of our nation's journey through the centuries."
Judith Deem Dupree began this work in July 1976, our Bi-Centennial year, when we were caught up in the throes of celebration. Like so many millions of others, she sensed an urgency regarding our homeland. We had come through a devastating war, and by this symbolic act of participating in our beginnings, we hoped we might again stand tall, stand together.
But we were not ready to "stand tall together," for we had never fully faced our terrible shrinkage, our isolation from each other and, ultimately, from our Creator. Judith was increasingly aware of our need for vision that would strengthen and sustain us.
The concept of writing our saga came, haltingly at first, and was often laid aside for months - and even for a few years. Her vision was no more whole than that of our nation. She continued struggling, however, with this work that would not let her go. What voice could express the grip it had upon her? It was in every sense too large for her, and, without a valid historical connection, was ultimately unworkable, unreadable.
Like a nearly-forgotten refrain that jogged her memory, came the answer:
I sing. A song of America . . . a song for America. Why? Why not?
Ergo: It is the form (not a formula) of our "national poet," Walt Whitman that prevailed. Surely Walt Whitman turned a page in our understanding of our humanness; surely he lent his inimitable shape to the formation of our national character. It seemed fitting simply to take the echo of his voice and weave a different harmony. Not his rhythms, nor his message, nor his focus. It would not imitate. It would rise or fall on its own merits, and in some respect, to some degree, perhaps it would honor him.
Above all, maybe it would connect us in ways that matter, as his work did.
This is a new song - not of the individual, but of the whole of us.
A new song . . . with two historical connections, surely startling in their juxtaposition. The second connection? An explorer whose name is obscurely synonymous with all that we are and are not: Amerigo Vespucci.
We invite you to meet him here, in a very unexpected context . . .
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"Leonard G. Goss for Quiddity Press"
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"I Sing America is a remarkable and prodigious work, nothing less than a
poetic meditation on our entire history as a nation and collective soul.
In that rare and audacious medium, the book-length poem, interwoven with
an on-going narrative in poetic prose, Judith Deem Dupree opens us to a
landscape of intricate magnitude and richness, but does so in a voice
that is always intimate, lyric, and heartfelt. Her epic, anthem, lament,
and prophecy not only moves us to understand afresh our historic good
fortune but also the historic nature of our responsibilities, before God
and with God, in our present era of unprecedented abundance and freedom..
This is a work for our country's ear, heart, and spirit."
David Impastato: Author, poet, lecturer, editor of Upholding Mystery: An Anthology of Contemporary Christian Poetry, Oxford University Press
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"Judith Deem Dupree yet reminds us "We are a potpourri crushed from earth's
rude laboring." Not since Whitman sang America has America found so noble a
singer as Judith Deem Dupree. This song must be heard by all souls
everywhere lest we forget... "We are the judges and the judged, the damning
damned... Victims of our battered, bartered hope..." We must sing
with Dupree, "So we may learn at last to die and live well."
Calvin Miller, Writer in residence, Samford University, and author of over
thirty books, including The Singer Trilogy.
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Besides writing fiction and nonfiction, Judith Deem Dupree has published Going Home,
a volume of poems. As founder and director of AD LIB, a full-spectrum arts retreat, her abiding passion is in providing a venue for instruction,
fellowship, and renewal for emerging writers and artists. She and her husband live in a small mountain village in southern California.
View excerpts
ISBN: 0-9709623-0-4 | Tradepaper | 225 pages | $18.99
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Orders suspended due to Production Problems
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