Rita Dove's Poem 'American Smooth'

Rita Dove: American Smooth

Rita Dove is one of the most influential and accomplished writers in the history of American Literature and has quickly become one of my favorite poets. She uses her writing to help us overcome the differences that divide us like race, religion, and even gender. Her education and training as a musician and dancer have helped her link this talent with her exceptional writing abilities. Her love of dance, extensive work ethic, and passion for writing are all exposed in her poem “American Smooth.” Rita Dove uses ballroom dance in this composition to demonstrate everyday issues. Early in the poem, she writes, “Such perfect agony one learns to smile through, ecstatic mimicry being the sine qua non of American Smooth.” She is saying that we all need to work through the pain to find happiness. There are always going to be problems like racial discrimination and hatred, but if we work hard to eliminate these issues, America will

Her poem “Believer,” combines her experience of living on the Gulf Coast with the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. She writes that “Four years gone, she’s still rebuilding the shed out back, and now the house is a museum of everything.” It is challenging to some people to forge ahead, and the belongings and photographs represent hope and future possibilities. She concludes her poem with the woman continuing to give to the church, even though she has lost almost everything. “First seek the kingdom of God, she tells me, and the rest will follow.” We all experience hardships in life and everyone needs someone to believe in that may bring them happiness. We can’t worry about the past because we can never change it. We need to enjoy the present and not continue to punish people for what may have happened in bygone days. We are here on Earth for a short while, and we all have to make the best of