Aja Monet's latest release, the poetry collection titled "Florida Water," stands as a testament to the mightiness of poetic manifestation.
Hey there! Let's chat about Aja Monet, a surrealist blues poet and musician. This Grammy-nominated artist has an interesting philosophy about her art—she views blues as her origin story and considers it the beginning and end of her creative journey.
Two years ago, Monet performed a Tiny Desk Concert here at NPR, delivering a powerful performance that resonated with many. One of her poems, "The Devil You Know," is part of her latest poetry collection, “Florida Water.” NPR’s Julie Depenbrock had the opportunity to talk with the poet about her work.
In the collection, Florida Water carries a double meaning for Monet. Literally, it refers to the aromatic water traditionally used for cleansing homes, altars, and spiritual baths. Symbolically, it represents the cleansing, revealing, and unraveling power of poetry. The poems function like spiritual baths, rinsing away illusions and revealing hard truths about personal and collective experiences.
Monet's time spent in Florida profoundly shaped her poetry and activism. While in the state, she engaged deeply with youth-led social justice movements and co-founded an arts collective dedicated to music, art, and activism. Her poems in "Florida Water" interweave activism with intimate portraits of community struggles, climate change, and racial histories.
The collection also reflects Monet’s emotional and spiritual journey through love, heartbreak, community, and belonging during her time in Florida. It pays homage to those struggles while underscoring poetry’s role as a spiritual and political act.
In one poem, Monet raises the question: Is love a commons? She believes it should be, not only regarding romantic love but also in every relationship in our lives. For Monet, the test of our existence lies in our impact on one another, and the evidence that we exist is how we affect each other.
In conclusion, "Florida Water" encapsulates Monet’s lived experience in Florida, blending her social activism, spiritual beliefs, artistic expression, and personal transformation. The title and thematic core serve as a metaphorical and literal vessel for cleansing, reflection, and revelation in both her poetry and life. Keep your eyes open for more from this fascinating and talented artist!
Politics and general news can be found in Monet's latest poetry collection, "Florida Water." Her poems interweave activism with intimate portraits of community struggles, climate change, and racial histories, reflecting her time spent in Florida and her engagement with youth-led social justice movements.
