# Teach Me How to Whisper: Horses and Other Poems

Teach Me How to Whisper: Horses and Other Poems is a poetry collection by Albanian-born American poet Gjekë Marinaj, published by Syracuse University Press on November 15, 2023. The book, which is Marinaj's first collection translated into English, explores themes of home, love, existentialism, and the human experience.

## Overview

Teach Me How to Whisper is divided into nine sections: Home, Albania, Amor, Admonitions, Acheron, Heroines, Metaphysics, Poets, and the Earth. Each section delves into different aspects of life and philosophy, reflecting Marinaj's rich poetic craft and sensitivity to both inner and outer worlds. The vibrant red cover of the book invites readers to explore the depth and breadth of human emotions and experiences.

## Poetic Style

Marinaj's poetic style is defined by hermetic metaphors, using dense, symbolic imagery to convey profound truths through layered, indirect language. His work blends ancient traditions, oral folklore, and philosophical and mystical ideas, exploring themes of love, death, exile, and human longing, while employing hyperbole to create vivid imagery that shifts between grandeur and wit. His metaphors are both personal and universal, inviting readers into emotional and intellectual discovery, with a tone that moves between the abstract and the personal, using complex symbols that require careful interpretation. Marinaj views poetry as a means of spiritual insight, where meaning emerges not directly, but through symbolic exploration and the unraveling of hidden connections. Critics have praised the originality and radical nature of Marinaj’s style. World Literature Today highlights the novelty of his work, noting, “the poems’ radical newness stems from reengaging with tradition.” The Antlers American and Poteau Daily News describe his poetry as “one-of-a-kind,” emphasizing its authenticity. In a review titled “From exile to anthem,” The Statesman compares Marinaj’s work to that of Rabindranath Tagore, while noting that Marinaj’s love poems stand apart, offering a clearer inspiration. Expansive Poetry Online states, “Marinaj is so very unlike most poets of today that perhaps a docent would be useful” to explain “his philosophical and moral claims and his insistence that the content of poetry is irreplaceable in today’s world.” Athenaeum Review acknowledges “…the book, suggests” that “…the poet is a creature of singular nobility and insight.” Different Truths observes that Marinaj’s “poems flow seamlessly from Albanian to English, capturing the essence of their original.

## Critical Reception

The book received acclaim from various literary critics and scholars. Wayne Miller, author of The City, Our City, describes it as "an exciting addition to Albanian literature-in-translation and, more broadly, to world poetry." Angela De Leo, DaBitanto praises it as "a beacon for all of humanity and for the young people who will write the history, including the literary history, of the near future." The review in Apraksin Blues highlights Marinaj's "worldwide reputation" and his "sensitivity to inner worlds and other worldliness." Different Truths emphasizes the book's exploration of the richness of the human experience across its nine sections.

## Awards and Recognitions

* Romania's Mihai Eminescu International Poetry Prize
* 2024 Lyric Poetry & Poetics Book of the Year Award (by the University coalition of South Korea, 12 October 2024)

## Author

Gjekë Marinaj is a renowned poet, literary critic, translator, and scholar. Born in Albania, Marinaj's most celebrated poem, "Horses," played a significant role in the democratic movements of his homeland. He has received numerous international accolades, including two National Insignia Prizes from the Vietnam Writers' Association, Italy's International Author Prize, Uzbekistan's Poet of the World Prize, West Bengal's World Poet Prize, India's ISISAR Award for seeking peace through literature, and South Korea's Changwon KC International Literary Prize. Marinaj has also been nominated multiple times for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

## Publication Details

* Publisher: Syracuse University Press
* Publication Date: November 15, 2023
* Language: English
* Paperback: 223 pages
* ISBN-10: 0815611633
* ISBN-13: 978-0815611639
* Item Weight: 2.31 pounds
* Dimensions: 5 x 0.75 x 8 inches