Coal Mountain Elementary Close Reading

Mark Nowak integrates many interesting elements into this book. He mixes pictures, interviews, official document of events, and his own words in an attempt to shed light and bring attention to events that affect all of us as consumers of electricity and people who inhabit this planet. It seems very likely that Nowak understands this and understands that most of us take for granted the everyday, especially that which does not directly affect us on a daily basis, or the people we care about. For the purposes of this miniature examination of “Coal Mountain Elementary.” This collection is not what many people would consider poetry. However, the stories being told, picture being viewed all simultaneously rubbing together.

Let’s consider the language of the experimental poetry collection by looking specifically at excerpts from page 48. “Then I tried to call the state office and there was no answer of course at the state office (48). What makes this experimental to some people is the language like this. When people think of poetry they don’t think of language of the every day. The elevated and flowery language of poetry of yester year is nowhere to be seen. This new language is important, specifically in considering what Nowak is doing here. He is talking through and for these working class people across continents who are usually living in the shadows, unseen and unheard. In writing the poems this way, Nowak gives them a voice and gives them a sense of pride in the work that they do. It also allows the outside world the opportunity to realize the value in the lives of these families.

Lastly, the other very interesting and important aspect of the collection is the use of photographs. The photographs are vital because they allow people to visually see the words on the page. The pictures also bring everything together and make the book officially a poetry collection, even though there is no stanzas or poetic language. However, Nowak does a great job of getting the stories out in the world, while still being truth and honest to the experiences of the people directly affected by the coal mining industry.