#SouthernLit

[mycsnavelyphotography]

In the shadowy depths of antebellum Charleston, where the air hung thick with a bittersweet ache, there existed a hidden sanctuary, much like a frayed quilt stitched together by the relentless hands of fate. Within the rickety bones of an abandoned church, hushed whispers trembled with both hope and fear as the weary souls of the oppressed sought refuge from their tormentors—an echo of yearning threaded through dimly lit stained-glass that told tales of anguish and aspiration. ​Here, the desperate throng mingled—abolitionists and escaped slaves alike—each seeking connection amid a tapestry of skin and story, while the night’s muffled footsteps wove a symphony of urgency that resonated through the sacred arches.​ This church, a crucible of dreams, transformed into a flickering beacon of defiance stood against the looming darkness, illuminating the path toward emancipation and whispered of a new dawn, ripe with the promise of liberation—a life unchained, a life reclaimed.

W.E.B. Du Bois (1903): “The Underground Railroad was a system of escape routes and ill-defined paths of safety which from the time of the Revolution to the Civil War conducted thousands of fugitive slaves to Canada and freedom.”

The Crow, The Alligator and the Cypress

Beneath the heavy, gnarled branches of the cypress, where the air thickens with shadows and the whispers of lost souls drift through the night, I witnessed a vision that clung to me like the dampness of the swamp. The moon hung low, casting a silvery glow over a shanty nestled deep in the marsh—a sanctuary for weary hearts. They came, seeking light, their hopes entwined with the cycles of the earth and the spirits of their ancestors. 

The cypress stood tall, a nurturing figure in this wild expanse, guiding them through a sacred path laden with the weight of history. A crow swept down, its wings rustling like the leaves of prayer, bringing with it the ancient wisdom of those who had walked before. I felt the tremor of its caw vibrating in my bones, urging the seekers forth toward the embrace of the shanty where freedom lay just beyond the fog. All around me, the night air hung heavy with the stories of those daring enough to chase the dawn, evading the iron shackles that clung to their past.

As I gazed deeper into the scene, the silhouette of the alligator emerged from the depths, its scales shimmering like darkened jewels in the half-light. It glided silently through the murky waters, a watchful guardian of the journey that echoed across time. The seams of reality and spirit intertwined as the desperate travelers pushed onward, their feet stirring the muddy earth, carrying with them the hope birthed in the cypress's shade—a hope as resilient as the roots that anchored it to the island.

I stood entranced, witnessing their quiet strength as they tread the hidden paths through the swamp, shoulder to shoulder, pursuit and perseverance woven into each determined step. Each figure was a luminous thread in the tapestry of freedom, laboring together to break free from the chains that sought to bind them. With the crow’s call urging them on and the alligator guiding their way, they forged ahead into the night, reminders of what it meant to reclaim one’s destiny and honor the struggles of those who came before.

In this heart of the swamp where the very essence of life pulses through the roots and branches, the ancestral spirits sang, weaving stories of resilience and courage through the stillness.  I recognized the silhouette of the alligator gliding through the dark waters, its presence a testament to Delphine, a revered ancestor of the Beaumonts, who had sacrificed so much to guide her kin. The crow perched nearby, its call echoing with the strength of Eleanor Margot Hathora Beaumont, who had aided countless enslaved neighbors in their desperate bids for freedom along the Underground Railroad. ​Both spirits, fierce and wise, personified the righteousness that towered above wickedness in this swamp.​

Yet, as the shadows lengthened, I sensed an unsettling presence. Wickedness had begun to rise again, casting a pall of uncertainty over the sacred ground. Still, the cypress stood resilient against the encroaching darkness, a symbol of the enduring fight for justice and the promise of what is right. In this moment, I felt the strength of my ancestors flowing through my veins, a reminder that as long as we honor their legacy, the spirit of Delphine and Eleanor would guide us through whatever trials lay ahead, illuminating the path towards freedom and righteousness in the heart of the swamp.

Psalms 1:3 (KJV): And (s)he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

In the dim shadows of a world cloaked in sorrow, where the cries of the oppressed echoed through the whispered winds, there lay a hidden path—the Underground Railroad. A treacherous journey, shrouded in secrecy, ventured forth from the hearts of brave souls yearning for freedom. It is said that between 25,000 and 100,000 enslaved hearts took the leap into the night, their spirits dancing on the edge of despair and hope. Among these valiant spirits, roughly 30,000 to 40,000 sought refuge in the embrace of Canada, each step a defiant declaration against the chains that bound them. The exact count of those who slipped away into the realm of liberation remains elusive, like threads of memory fading in the flickering light of remembrance. ​Yet, the very essence of the Underground Railroad resonates—a testament to courage, resilience, and the undying pursuit of freedom, all woven into the tapestry of human spirit.

Frederick Douglass (c. 1850s): "The man who is not a slave is a free man... I have seen great numbers of them, who reached Canada by the Underground Railroad."

Harriet Tubman (1860s): “I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.” 

William Still (1872): “The Underground Railroad is not a business, but a great humanitarian movement of the long and dark night of trials and struggles for deliverance.”

[firsteditionbookblog]

I’ll go ahead and say it: Robert Morgan might very well be the best living American poet. He is certainly the best living poet from our region. His work spans decades, and each book plays with different forms, styles, subjects, and characters. From hardscrabble farms to pondering solar terrestrial physics, his work spans the gambit and does so with a poetic clarity few can rival. He published his first book “Zirconia Poems” in 1969. This is one of the 25 hardback copies I’ve only heard rumors of until now. My friend Chan Gordon helped me find some of Morgan’s rarer chapbooks and such, and he always joked that one day he would sell me his Zirconia. Chan would go on to publish a small fine press edition of Morgan’s later book “October Light.” Morgan sent Chan this copy, and it includes the accompanying letter. I’m pleased to add it to the collection, as it will also serve as a reminder of Chan’s longstanding love and promotion of literature from the southern mountains. I’ve included the poems “Hunting” and “Junkyard After Storm” here. Fine book, without a jacket as issued. Numbered 19/25, and signed by Morgan. Association Copy. A new cornerstone of the collection. #robertmorgan #zirconiapoems #lillabuleropress #rarebooks #firstedition #bookcollection #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bibliophile #bookporn #bookhunting #bookstagram #modernfirsts #modernfirsteditions #finebooks #signedbooks #shelfie #southernliterature #southernlit #tennessee #appalachianlit #appalachianliterature #kentucky #northcarolina #virginia #westvirginia #appalachianpoetry https://www.instagram.com/p/CqWksHPsRY0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[kdsmiththewriter]

#BookAdventCalendar2022 Day 11 It's Christmastime, so it is time for my favorite, "A Southern Night Before Christmas," by Kelly Kazek. "Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, We were sticky and sweaty 'cause this is the South." Y'all enjoy, and Merry Christmas!!

[youcanlearnfrombooks]

Happy birthday to Tennessee Ernie Williams!

[generallygothic]

"𝕲𝖔 𝖆𝖘 𝖋𝖆𝖗 𝖆𝖘 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖈𝖆𝖓 -- 𝖜𝖆𝖞 𝖔𝖚𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗 𝖜𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖈𝖗𝖆𝖜𝖉𝖆𝖉𝖘 𝖘𝖎𝖓𝖌." -Delia Owens 🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯 I finished 'The Heart is a Lonely Hunter' yesterday, and... wow! A fair few of you expressed interest in reading it for yourselves so no spoilers, but... wow! This has bagged a spot in my fave reads of the year so far and, yep, probably ever. Did I mention "... wow!"? 🦞 As I've seamlessly slipped under a 🥀Southern Spell🥀 - which would have been my July theme were I organised - today I'm sharing a backdated review of a book that fits the theme. I read Delia Owens 'Where the Crawdads Sing' (2018) in February, during lockdown number ?'. I, therefore, did not know that this book was on every display stand, in every not-very-literary bookselling space. Good job, because I'm a recovering book snob - trying to avoid avoiding bestsellers and newcomers, whilst still supporting independent sellers and buying secondhand ✌🌍. Reading habits are political, don't ya know? Anyway... 🦞 Set in the marshlands of North Carolina, 'Crawdads' is an ode to oddity, to nature, to growing up and figuring yourself out. The wilds of the damp, deep south are an alluring and unfamiliar setting; Owens immerses you, enabling utter, bone-warming escapism. To our young protagonist, Kya, the marsh is the only home she has ever known; it is a part of her very being. Known, unkindly, as the 'Marsh Girl' about town, Kya's is a tale of isolation and liberation, with murder and romance at its core. 🦞 Navigating familiar Southern Gothic themes such as poverty, racial injustice, and loneliness, Owens lacks the gravity of McCullers or O'Connor. I would term 'Crawdads' "soft Southern Gothic" - a poor white girl fairytale that just might fall apart if you pick too closely... Nonetheless, it is an altogether engrossing tale and I thoroughly enjoyed a little marshland adventure. Have you read this one? 🦞 🔗in bio to McCullers audio-review! . #wherethecrawdadssing #deliaowens #bookstagram #bookreview #southerngothic #southernlit #americanliterature #generallygothic #gothic #booknerd #spookynerd #southernspell #northcarolina #flanneryoconnor #carsonmccullers https://www.instagram.com/p/CR5_b76LkS3/?utm_medium=tumblr

[davidabrams]

Flannery arrived today and she has a few things to say. #amreading #FlanneryOConnor #southernlit #booksofinstagram #booklover #booknerd #bibliophile #ilovebooks #ilovereading #readthis #booksbooksbooks #reader #classicbooks #instabook #bookpic #mybooks #bookworm #igreads #booked #instabooks #booklife #readinglife #bookaddict #StillLifeWithBooks #TBRlist #bookstoread #TBRpile #wanttoread https://www.instagram.com/p/CEFah5Whs25/?igshid=1nmdguwlqd7cl

[amlitlover]

Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”

"WHEN Miss Emily Grierson died, our whole town went to her funeral: the men through a sort of respectful affection for a fallen monument, the women mostly out of curiosity to see the inside of her house, which no one save an old man-servant--a combined gardener and cook--had seen in at least ten years." https://americanliterature.com/author/william-faulkner/short-story/a-rose-for-emily

[americanmythology]

Some Dark Holler is coming to Amazon on September 1st in eBook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook formats. As a celebration, there'll be a ton of giveaways and cool bonus material leading up to its release. To receive the launch bonuses make sure you're on Luke's email list. Sign-up here: https://www.facebook.com/lukebauserman.author/app/?sk=app_1505485539723918 #southerngothic #southernlit #darkcountry #supernatural #thriller #hillbilly #fantasybooks

[weltysymposium]

We’re getting ready for this year’s symposium! Check out our authors at www.muw.edu/welty — more info on each, coming soon!

Kiese Laymon — Heavy: An American Memoir

Kendra Allen — When You Learn the Alphabet T. J. Anderson III — Devonte Travels the Sorry Route  John Bateman — Who Killed Buster Sparkle? Tina Barr — Green Target  Ann Fisher-Wirth — The Bones of Winter Birds  Brandon Hobson — Where the Dead Sit Talking  Cary Holladay —  Brides in the Sky Ashley M. Jones — Dark // Thing  Mary Miller — Biloxi Christin Marie Taylor — Labor Pains Ken Wells — Gumbo Life, Tales from the Roux Bayou 

[firsteditionbookblog]

Jeff Daniel Marion is probably best known as a poet and teacher, and many of his students have gone on to their own successful literary careers. I think of writers such as Jesse Graves, Lynn Powell, Susan O’Dell Underwood as coming from his tree of influence. He also maintained long literary friendships with Ted Kooser, Robert Morgan, and Jim Wayne Miller. An interview with Kooser about their long relationship is in the current issue of Appalachian Places. His poems are often trim and almost bare, and his older works are becoming more difficult to find. This early chapbook is signed and limited, number 91/100. There are a few hardback copies somewhere in the world but I’ve not found a way to get my hands on one yet. Still, I’m pleased to find this copy even with a couple flaws, as “Tight Lines” contains some of his wonderful fishing poetry (new word to me: piscatory pastorals). The book also has the first appearance of Marion’s more notable poem entitled “By the Banks of the Holston,” the river upon which his cabin sits. Illustrations by George Chavatel, printed on the Iron Mountain Press. Good condition, obvious sunning to front cover, overall Good+ condition. . . . . . . #jeffdanielmarion #georgechavatel #ironmountainpress #tightlines #onthebanksoftheholston #holstonriver #rarebooks #firstedition #bookcollection #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bibliophile #bookporn #bookhunting #bookstagram #modernfirsts #modernfirsteditions #finebooks #signedbooks #shelfie #southernliterature #southernlit #tennessee #appalachianlit #appalachianliterature #kentucky #northcarolina #virginia #westvirginia #appalachianpoetry https://www.instagram.com/p/CqIfDqTuwRj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bafreaka]

#faulkner is always a favorite to draw! #heidipitre #penandink #library #bibliophile #bookart #afable #southernlit #mississippi #drawing #austinart #texasartist

[magiccityacceptancecenter]

@burdockbookcollective will join us at Drop-In Hours this Thursday at 5:30 to show us how to make some Zines! It's gonna be down right amaZINE 😂 #Repost @burdockbookcollective with @get_repost ・・・ Come make zines with us at the @mcacbham this Thursday April 4th at 5:30. Ages 13-24 📚📚#selfexpression #homemadebooks #selfpublish #feministauthors #southernlit #queerlit https://www.instagram.com/p/BvuHE-QnCOB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2z4lyqif05xf

[slickcatbooks]

Happy birthday to #flanneryoconnor from #slickcatbooks! #southernlit #agoodmanishardtofind #milledgeville #ga #georgia #authorsofinstagram #authors #writersofinstagram #south #shortstories #literature https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvc8IuUHCeJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ddv4yv4qwc5c

[afaithfulson-blog]

A Faithful Son

[macsbooks311]

The Last List of Judith Kratt @AndreaBobotis

The Last List of Judith Kratt @AndreaBobotis

Miss Judith has inherited all that the Kratt family had to offer: a pie safe, a copper clock and a murder no one talks about. 

Being born and raised in the southern part of the US, I came to love southern literature. It has a flow and charm to it, a rhythm that is unlike any other. When it is done well you can smell the gardenias and magnolias on every page and feel the grit from the dusty Delta…

[poetgirl925]

Currently reading Ron Rash. I’ve long been a fan of his poetry, and last year I read his excellent novel ‘Serena.’ Up next is Saints at the River, The Cove, and a collection of short stories, Something Rich and Strange. His prose is lyrical, and he deftly captures the spirit of Appalachia. What’s on your bookshelf? 📚 #reading #southernlit #southernliterature #ronrash #bookrecommendations #booksofinstagram #whatsonyourbookshelf https://www.instagram.com/p/BppQY8pg-Qm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2y4a30dqug77