Three Poems by Nathaniel Mackey

Three Poems by Nathaniel Mackey

“Parlay Cheval Ou,” excerpt from “Lone Coast Anacrusis,” “Song of the Andoumboulou: 77”

Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Pocket
Email

In this installment of Lyric Nation, Nathaniel Mackey reads “Parlay Cheval Ou,” which appears in Eroding Witness (Illinois); an excerpt from “Lone Coast Anacrusis,” first published in the June 7, 2010 issue of The Nation; and “Song of the Andoumboulou: 77,” first published in the December 10, 2007 issue of The Nation. “Lone Coast Anacrusis” and “Song of the Andoumboulou: 77” are from Nod House, forthcoming from New Directions. These poems were recorded by J.D. Hillard.

Time is running out to have your gift matched 

In this time of unrelenting, often unprecedented cruelty and lawlessness, I’m grateful for Nation readers like you. 

So many of you have taken to the streets, organized in your neighborhood and with your union, and showed up at the ballot box to vote for progressive candidates. You’re proving that it is possible—to paraphrase the legendary Patti Smith—to redeem the work of the fools running our government.

And as we head into 2026, I promise that The Nation will fight like never before for justice, humanity, and dignity in these United States. 

At a time when most news organizations are either cutting budgets or cozying up to Trump by bringing in right-wing propagandists, The Nation’s writers, editors, copy editors, fact-checkers, and illustrators confront head-on the administration’s deadly abuses of power, blatant corruption, and deconstruction of both government and civil society. 

We couldn’t do this crucial work without you.

Through the end of the year, a generous donor is matching all donations to The Nation’s independent journalism up to $75,000. But the end of the year is now only days away. 

Time is running out to have your gift doubled. Don’t wait—donate now to ensure that our newsroom has the full $150,000 to start the new year. 

Another world really is possible. Together, we can and will win it!

Love and Solidarity,

John Nichols 

Executive Editor, The Nation

Ad Policy
x