Bestiary: Poems 19 The winner of the National

The winner of the National Book Critics Award for Poetry offers up a spirited collection of short lyrical essays

Hear them thunder across the prairie

true-to-life personalities

Tackling darkly serious themes yet full of hope and optimism

Bestiary: Poems 19 The winner of the NationalDonika Kelly's fierce debut collection, longlisted for the 2016 National Book Award and winner of the 2015 Cave Canem Poetry Prize I thought myself lion and serpent. Thought myself body enough for two, for we. Found comfort in never being lonely. What burst from my back, from my bones, what lived along the ridge from crown to crown, from mane to forked tongue beneath the skin. What clamor we made in the birthing. What hiss and rumble at the splitting,