Detroit-born poet Tommye Blount’s writing belongs somewhere in the realm of short films: vivid and fearless as it portrays human vulnerability, whether the threat is a fist or something much more intimate. In today's episode, we talk with Blount about growing up black and queer and how his head-on collisions with white America’s myth-making informed his newest collection. Fantasia for the Man in Blue exploded into publication and was a finalist for the National Book Award 2020 for poetry.  GUEST: Tommye Blount, poet and author of Fantasia for the Man in Blue, finalist for the National Book Award 2020 for Poetry Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT. Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.