Focusing on life in the rural South, this chapbook features original poems that reflect on generational changes within communities. The poems explore themes of memory and the deep connections to the land, echoing the sentiments found in Graves's earlier work. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, the collection captures how the past continues to influence the present.
Born and raised in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee, Jesse Graves draws inspiration from his ancestral roots dating back to the 1780s. His work, including poems and essays, has been featured in notable literary journals and anthologies. Currently, he shares his passion for literature as an Assistant Professor at East Tennessee State University, contributing to the academic community while fostering a connection to his Southern heritage through his writings.
The essays collected in Said-Songs range from the personal to the scholarly and explore the hybrid territory in between, where a creative writer considers literary craft and how it influences the generative imagination.