What are your very favorite memoirs of the last twenty or so years? Any “type” of memoir will do, so long as you loved it. Thank you!
Charif Shanahan
@CharifShan
Trace Evidence: poems (, 2023); Assistant Professor of English . Guest Editor . Repped by .
Charif Shanahan’s Tweets
Hi, Poets/Poetry Teachers— what are your very favorite long poems to teach? I’m interested in sectioned poems/linked lyric sequences/book-length poems, but also unsectioned poems that are just very long. (“Long” means whatever it means to you.) Thank you!
It’s here! The May issue of POETRY — my first as Guest Editor — drops tomorrow & looks beautiful. I hope you’ll spend time w/ this new work by an array of extraordinary poets & translators, & a very special folio on Assotto Saint. It’s an honor to offer the issue to you. Enjoy!
Hi, friends & strangers— please spread this call for work for my third & final issue of POETRY as guest editor. Lineage & Influence will be the focus, & I can’t wait to read your work. Deadline to submit: 6/15. 💫✍🏽🧚🏽♂️
Are you a translator of poetry? If so, I’d love to read your translations and consider them for a forthcoming issue of — send them to us!
poetry.submittable.com/submit/203092/
A gentle and respectful reminder, as we talk about colonialism/French occupation in Morocco, that the Arabization of North Africa was itself a kind of colonial history. I’m rooting for my people, which is to say Africans living beneath layers of empire. That’s all. Carry on.
Hi, Twitter. I haven’t been here in years, but I wrote a book of poems that I’m really proud of and want to share with all of you. You can preorder it here, if you’d like to support it/me: tinyurl.com/388874h6
My guest editorship at is underway! Please send us your poems and translations. I’d love to read your work.
So happy to have three poems from Trace Evidence () in the gorgeous December issue of . Here’s one of them— with thanks to and the whole editorial team. 💫 🧚🏽♂️
💫 Very excited to share this interview in about Trace Evidence ()! An honor to have had the chance—and a real joy that I got to do it with dear friend . Enjoy! 🧚🏽♂️
Ok, so Trace Evidence () drops one month from today, and I can't wait to share the book with all of you! For now, here are some incredibly generous words about the book from poets I admire very, very much. I can’t tell you what it means to me to have their support💫🧚🏽♂️💗
Dear all! Thank you for all your notes about the May issue of POETRY! I am SO PLEASED that so many of you are taking to it. It’s a true privilege to support our community of poets & translators in this way. Two more issues (Sept & Nov) en route—more details soon
Over the moon reading this review of Trace Evidence (), with deep thanks to for your close attention and powerful endorsement (and the star 😭)
Toni Morrison, National Council on the Arts, Feb 14, 1981 (The Source of Self-Regard, 61-2).
The May issue of POETRY — my first as Guest Editor — is almost here, and I can’t wait to share it with y’all!
I had the honor of talking with about Trace Evidence () for #NationalPoetryMonth & the new 'enjambments' interview series. My thanks to the Academy & for this chance to share more about the book & my vision as an artist/human.
Not that I imagine there’s a lot I could do, but if you are a poet & there is literally anything I can do to help you on your path, I’m here for it (& poetry), provided I have the resources/capacity. (1/2)
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gatekeeping in publishing is so insidious it trickles down to even (perhaps most of all?) the newest, most insecure authors & it makes me so sad. people are burning their careers & reputations before they even publish. not long ago, i was intro’d to a debut author (former lawyer)
Toi Derricotte told me on the phone tonight, “We’re here to learn how to love,” and I can’t stop thinking about it.
Today the universe extended me some grace, and I can’t tell you how badly I needed it. 🙏🏽🐞🩵🧚🏽♂️
Thank you for the good words about my work and for sharing my poem “Thirty-Fifty Year” from Trace Evidence ()🧚🏽♂️
An annotated copy of Trace Evidence ()—with special notes about the origin/revision of the poems, and my shaping them into a book, along with personal anecdotes—will be gifted to someone who pre-orders the book between now and pub date (3/21). (1/2)
In my post-college years, as I tried to figure out how to be a poet and live in the world, I carried books of poems with me to and from my corporate job in midtown, to and from parties--really everywhere--and read as many contemporary poets as I could find.
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We are very saddened at the loss of brilliant poet, essayist, scholar, and teacher Saskia Hamilton. (1/2)
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I’ll name just one: Linda Gregg, my second teacher (right after Yusef K—how blessed was I?). Her work is in my bones. If you don’t know her work, start with TOO BRIGHT TO SEE, then go to CHOSEN BY THE LION.
Happy to see a poem from ‘Trace Evidence’ () in , with thanks to Elizabeth Metzger & Callie Siskel.
Happy National Poetry Month! The convo I had with David Naimon for Between the Covers dropped this morning, and I hope you’ll give it a listen. I’ve followed David’s podcast for years, and it was an honor to have his attention on my work and the questions of my life. Enjoy! 💫
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Don't miss today's conversation with poet Charif Shanahan, about language & the construction of self, about Arabness & Blackness in North Africa & North America, about the ways histories ripple through our most intimate moments. Audio 
: tinhouse.com/podcast/charif
What a joy it was to record the audiobook of TRACE EVIDENCE today!I had so much fun reciting the poems & channeling my former-actor-self, who came back with a vengeance. I love how the audio turned out & feel blessed to get to send out another version of the book into the world!
Thank you so much, Chicago, for the incredible love and celebration and community last night at the Chi launch of Trace Evidence. I will never forget it. ❤️🔥🧚🏽♂️
Yusef Komunyakaa and Linda Gregg were my first two poetry teachers, and the particularities—and wild luck—of that combination still reveal themselves to me more than two decades later.
I’ve been thinking about Eavan (Boland) lately. Here’s a favorite poem.
I once said among writers at a party, “I just want the poems to reach people,” and one writer scoffed so loudly in distrust I’d have called him out on it if I hadn’t known it meant more about his ambitions than my own. What are your hopes and goals as poets? What keeps you going?
Hi, friends— I am so excited about these spring readings from Trace Evidence (). Please come out and support if I pass through your city! More dates to come soon in Boston, DC, Portland, Tucson, and elsewhere. With gratitude to everyone who’s reading/talking with me, C
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Here's the poem. Rest in peace and power, Saskia, and thank you.
Having this convo with for was a true joy, and privilege. We talk about my forthcoming book Trace Evidence (), my former teachers, the shifting of identity, oneness, fate, and love. I hope you’ll listen and enjoy!
💫 Tomorrow in LA! Can’t wait 🧚🏽♂️
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Today, for no reason in particular, I am full of gratitude and hope and am sending love and light to everyone here—especially the ones rolling their eyes at this Tweet. Happy Sunday 🧚🏽♂️
Spring Tour dates are here! So excited to start sharing Trace Evidence ()—and honored by this impeccable company 🐞💫
Hi, Chicago! Tonight’s launch is sold out, but if you’re on the waitlist, come through, as spots may open up throughout the day and/or registered folks may no-show. See you there! 🧚🏽♂️
What are your very favorite Italian films? Any era/genre of film. (It’s been years since I lived in Italy/heard Italian regularly—I’ve only been reading it for my translation projects—and I’d like to start hearing it again before returning to Italy for a residency this month.)TY!
Thank you, , for sharing this poem from Trace Evidence (). “Worthiness” was originally puvslihed by and closed the collection. Enjoy!
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I love Merwin’s “Separation”
With thanks to and February Poem-a-Day editor for including this poem from Trace Evidence () in a month of love sonnets by Black poets…
I’m sick as a dog rn but want to say that reading through all these incredible submissions for is buoying my spirit something fierce. What an honor & a joy. Thank you, poets & translators! 🧚🏽♂️
Easily the best part of living in Chicago (the water, not the seagulls)
💫 Thank you and for including Trace Evidence () on this list of spring poetry titles in review—and for the good words about the poems. 🧚🏽♂️
Full list: shorturl.at/acsM1
Such a fan of and so delighted and honored to hear read and meditate on this poem from Trace Evidence () for their Poetry Unbound podcast. 💫🧚🏽♂️
Charif Shanahan — Present Moment
Our Lineage & Influence Call for Work—for my final issue as guest editor of —closes tonight!
Please submit your poems/translations before 11pm CT, if you’d like to be considered for this themed issue.
Can’t wait to read your work! 💫🧚🏽♂️
Gorgeous poem by I’ve been thinking about since I read it three days ago: “A Suit or a Suitcase”
Done w/ the first part of my tour for Trace Evidence! Thank you in DTLA for the beautiful finale. & my deep thanks to everyone who came out these two months, got a copy of the book, tweeted/DMed about it, & invited me to read from it. Part 2 tour in the fall!🧚🏽♂️
I had a great time talking with about Trace Evidence (), love, oneness, and home… My thanks to for your questions and good words about the book! 🧚🏽♂️
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"My story has to be your story on some level, and yours, mine. We are beholden to one another. We are here at the same time."
@DianeGotAuthor in conversation with @CharifShan, author of TRACE EVIDENCE (@tin_house)
therumpus.net/2023/04/03/the
💫 TONIGHT IN LOS ANGELES! 💫
Come celebrate the release of Trace Evidence () with me in the exquisite company of & 🧚🏽♂️
in DTLA, 7pm PT, cohosted by the Ace, 🐞
RSVP: tinyurl.com/CharifRSVP
tfw a brilliant poet you revere says good things about your new book 😍
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I was finally able to read @CharifShan‘s latest book, *Trace Evidence,* last week, & it is just as rich, complex, & beautifully written as everyone is saying. Check his poem on today’s Poetry Daily—& put the book in your summer reading stack! 

poems.com/poem/on-exitin
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The folks who brought me into poems were also the ones who gatekept poetry most strongly & I am committed to making poetry—& a life in it—as accessible as poss to my students & to helping anyone in the “community” that I can. Real talk. (Which you know is true if you know me.)2/2
I have the profound honor of interviewing Marie Howe this morning for and, in preparation of our time together, absolutely loved listening to this conversation she had with some years ago for . Enjoy!
Thank you for including Trace Evidence on the list of poetry books to check out for #nationalpoetrymonth 🧚🏽♂️
Had a great time talking recently with for ’s “Back Draft” series about the drafting of a poem from Trace Evidence (), punctuation (we’re geeks), and the healing power of living near the spirit of poetry.
💫 Tomorrow in Brooklyn!
So excited to share poems and celebrate Trace Evidence () with this dream team of friends and mentors at 😍🐞
Friends in NYC— I’d love to see you!
Register here: buff.ly/3osp2Ni
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Trace Evidence, my second poetry collection, is forthcoming from . More details: tinyurl.com/388874h6
Hi, Oakland/Berkeley! Tonight with & Zeina Hashem Beck, I’ll have the joy of reading from Trace Evidence (). Pegasus Books (@PegasusBks) at 7pm. Join us!
Happy to see two poems from Trace Evidence () in the new , with thanks to and the whole team.
cortlandreview.com/issue-91/chari…
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I was so honored to talk with about Trace Evidence () — you can read the interview here!
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Huge congratulations to on the NBA in Poetry! I cheered —and the Hayden quote at the end was so perfect. Congratulations John and 🎉🎊🤴🏽
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Happy pub day to TYR contributor @CharifShan! TRACE EVIDENCE is out today from @Tin_House.
Revisit "Mulatto" :: "Quadroon" from TYR's Spring 2021 issue:
yalereview.org/article/mulatt
Hi, LA friends—I’ll be reading tomorrow at 4pm on the Poetry Stage and would love to see you! 🧚🏽♂️
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& just to be clear—the gatekeeping happened well before either grad program, before committing my life to poems, & def before a desire to publish them: it happened at the exact time when the gate should’ve been opened to the art, & I maintain it’s a miracle I still found my way.
It was a true joy to speak with for her podcast this week—give us a listen!
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This time of year I start to think I’m in the wrong city. (That sun is a mocking sun.)
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Embracing the mutable self, negotiating the dyadic, investigating the historical; wielding the ineffable monad in the poetic event. Your usual Ode&Psyche podcast day! Listen to the vivid conversation between Bianca Stone & Charif Shanahan @CharifShan here: podcast.ruthstonehouse.org/podcast/charif
Definitely started sobbing on the flight to Seattle while reading this astute, sensitive review of TE. Big gratitude to James Ciano & LARB
If You Are on This Earth You Are of This Earth: On Charif Shanahan’s “Trace Evidence”
buff.ly/3FCmMc6 via
She is the mother I never had, she is the sister everybody would want, she is the friend that everybody deserves. I don’t know a better person, I don’t know a better person. #janellejames #abottelementary
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Congratulations to @janellejcomedy for her @naacpimageaward win for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series!
#AbbottElementary
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I would like to be the air / that inhabits you for a moment / only. I would like to be that unnoticed / & that necessary. — Atwood
Seven years ago today, I left that hospital in Zurich, where they flew me for surgery after the bus accident in Morocco. Very happy to see this poem from the Dec issue of as the PF #poemoftheday, but mostly just glad to be here at all. Happy New Year, everybody 🧚🏽♂️
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And now, a few years later still, I know
To ask if this complex of feeling, deep-frozen,
Waiting for me, was my actual life—
—Charif Shanahan @CharifShan #PoemOfTheDay
bit.ly/3Ppzqyz
💫 Hi, LA — today at 4pm PST!
Come hear me read poems from Trace Evidence () on the Poetry Stage at the LA Times Festival of Books 💫 🧚🏽♂️
events.latimes.com/festivalofbook
Tonight! Honored and excited to read with Rachelle Park and Tameka Cage Conley for the final Soul Sister Review, curated/hosted by .
JOIN US at 7pm ET/6pm CT 🧚🏽♂️
Register here: bit.ly/3Ou6CGQ
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So so so so honored and hype to be reading at the last Soul Sister Revue w/ @arianathepoet @CharifShan @EugeniaLeigh Rachelle Parker and THEE Tameka Cage Conley (love me some her). This reading gonna be 

join us Friday! bit.ly/3Ou6CGQ
Thank you for including Trace Evidence on this list of nine new poetry collections you love for #nationalpoetrymonth 🧚🏽♂️
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April is #NationalPoetryMonth. Get started with nine new poetry collections we love.
on.nypl.org/3JYj8KY
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NBCC member @grantfaulkner interviewed @CharifShan, author of the books "Trace Evidence: poems" and "Into Each Room We Enter without Knowing," on the Write-minded podcast: podcast.shewrites.com/the-mystery-is
Deep thanks to and for running this poem from Trace Evidence () last spring — and for sharing it now 💫🧚🏽♂️
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"Who gets to live the life
They think they want? So few of us
Curate with energy"
— @CharifShan
yalereview.org/article/thirty
💫 Apps for the Litowitz MFA+MA program due 12/14. It’s a fully-funded, three-year program. Faculty: Chris Abani & Juan Martinez (Fiction); Natasha Trethewey & myself (Poetry); & & (CNF). We’re screening fiction & poetry this year.
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Poetry is back in the Poetry Room! After a three-year pandemic-related hiatus, City Lights is hosting live events again in our store.
Last week, we hosted @CharifShan to celebrate the release of his new book TRACE EVIDENCE.
Other events coming up: citylights.com/events/
Happy to read ’s good words about me and Trace Evidence (). Thank you & 🤩🧚🏽♂️
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Love seeing "Thirty Fifth Year" by @CharifShan—from his new collection
Trace Evidence—excerpted in @RonCharles's Book Club email newsletter @BookWorld!
buff.ly/3UXCk09
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😮💨 Did not breath from stanza three until the end ❤️🔥
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I don’t have an answer to your question, but I am reminded of a line of Sharon’s from a poem in Stag’s Leap: “I guess that’s how people go on, without / knowing how.”
💫 Tonight with and for Reading Series. Hosted by Kaveh Akbar.
Join us! 🧚🏽♂️ 7pm ET / 6pm CT / 4pm PT
RSVP:

















