Divisible by Itself and One is the most recent poetry collection from Kae Tempest, one of, if not the, most celebrated contemporary poets. Blending spoken and the written word Tempest has forged their own path and has a unique and compelling back catalogue. It is a lot to live up to. So how does Divisible fare?
The title, the definition of a prime number, reflects an interest in cycles: breaking, making, finding peace with – and perhaps how the breaking of one almost inevitably means the creation of a new cycle. Some of the poems are especially compelling. After rolling the final words around your mouth it is impossible not to go right back to the beginning to enjoy the words again. One of the first things to note is that you do not have to be a poetry aficionado to appreciate and at times fall into these poems. Real life pokes through constantly. From what the kids are up to, to love affairs and marriages, to the need to make and remake, these are poems with as many pointed words as elegant lines.
Many of the poems have the taste of Tempest as a spoken word poet in them. One of these is the early poem ‘Be careful that you don’t become a parody of yourself’. For anyone who has heard Tempest speak, it is near impossible not to hear it in their voice. Speed gathers until it sets its own pace, just short of breathless. A block of text without capital letters or full stops that hits hard the first read but would take hours to deconstruct, is perhaps best read out loud. The speed, almost hurry, to the end, is an integral part of the reading. If you dip into the poem at a random point, something important will be under your fingertip, but at the same time, to pause and pick and choose takes away from the rhythm of the poem. It is definitely one to be reread and reread.
‘Flight’ shows Tempest experimenting and pushing themselves as a written poet. It is one of several poems that makes a shape on the page, in this case either a bird in flight, or perhaps even a plane. It is attractive and draws the eye. To do this requires great skill. The question though, is does the poem itself still stand up or is something sacrificed to achieve its form? ‘Flight’ shows a relationship at its very beginning. Two people connecting and indicating their willingness and desire to see this connection between them take flight. It is short and beautiful. One of many poems that grows with each reading.
‘Wind in the Tall Trees’ is another. In the shape of a tree, wide at its base where the roots commingle and wide again before it peaks, it feels both sturdy and delicate. Its trunk is slender and held together by single words. The shape gives an indication as to the content. Beginning
“pushing me
upwards balancing
me from beneath”.
It takes more time to really appreciate compared to some of their more immediate works. It is great for any poetry lover to see a poet of such skill refuse to plateau and instead push at their own boundaries.
‘Even the youths shall faint and be weary’ shows a poet contemplating the world around us and who is left to make things better. It is impossible to not be at least faintly aware of the many problems in the world and it can feel like the only hope lies with the young, who at the same time as being hailed as the holders of hope, are constantly criticised in newspaper pages, in debates, for tv fodder. One of the most present poems, Tempest is always strongly connected to the world around them.
“Watch us, sporting in the riptide. Tanning.
Maniac adults peddling hope. Surely
the kids will sort it. So much more on it
than we were. Terrible odds. Almost certain
they’ll grow strong enough to restore truth.
Poor sods. No wonder they don’t go outside.”
Divisible ends with ‘Love song for queens, studs, butches, daddies, fags and all the other angels’. Perhaps the most literal title, it is a love song for all those who were brave enough to be themselves no matter what. “But you? You are the strongest ones among us. Daring as you do to live. Wholly as you are.” It is also the story of how Tempest’s identity evolved over time: “I didn’t know back then how to walk with you. You were too beautiful for me. Too bold”, until they found their people, those beautiful people who welcomed Tempest when they became fully themselves inside and out. “My people. My beautiful people. My beautiful trans people, natural as life.” This is one of those poems that should be required reading.
Beautiful and powerful, more relatable than many chocolate box poems, it is an excellent end point for Divisible, which shows a poet always in motion, always developing, and always touching excellence.
Any Cop?: There is an audiobook version of Divisible. To get the most out of the collection it might be worth having both versions. Reading the poem first, and then listening brings out every nuance, pause, and breath. Alternatively, one can read along as the audio plays. It makes one wonder whether this will become a trend and hope that it will.
Laura Marriott
Bookmunch 