A Tempest in a Teacup
by A. Van Jordan
Prospero
Assume, just for a moment,
I am denied a job
in the factory of my dreams
under the fluorescent lights
of a porcelain white foreman.
It’s orderly and neat.
I feed my family.
No one questions my face.
I raised my son in my likeness,
so he would never go unseen,
bobbing on a wave of expectation,
I set in motion with my back
put into my work, praying
for my country, blessed
with more of me, never worrying
about those who might die,
or those who did, trying
to stir a storm, trying
to stand where I’m standing.
About This Poem
“This poem is part of a series of poems in which characters from The Tempest become composite characters who wrestle with the tensions around how we talk about race today, particularly when that talk is gendered. Prospero represents the older, straight white male who fears the cultural shift in America, without seeing the benefits of that shift both for America and even for himself.”
—A. Van Jordan
A. Van Jordan is the author of four poetry collections, including The Cineaste (W. W. Norton, 2013). A professor of English and literature at the University of Mich
Joe
The Closet Professor 
July 17th, 2018 at 6:37 am
Race and gender, give it a rest and read some actual poetry that isn’t soy boy snowflake horseshit. Start with TS Eliot.
On Tue, Jul 17, 2018 at 8:02 PM The Closet Professor wrote:
> Joe posted: ” A Tempest in a Teacup by A. Van Jordan Prospero Assume, just > for a moment, I am denied a job in the factory of my dreams under the > fluorescent lights of a porcelain white foreman. It’s orderly and neat. I > feed my family. No one questions my face. I r” >