244 contemporary poetry
intertextuality
An expansive term which is used to refer to the inclusion of many
texts or references within a work. For the literary arts, intertex-
tuality may also denote a history of earlier writing, as well as the
inclusion of contemporary cultural references.
lyric
A broad umbrella term to encompass a range of different poetries
often associated with the expression of the subject’s wishes, desires
and recollections. Traditionally associated with music and song:
many contemporary poets insist on the musicality of their work. In
contemporary practice, the lyric has mutated into different forms.
An ‘analytic lyric’ or ‘self-refl exive’ lyric will often draw attention
to the linguistic textual making of its own utterance. A ‘discursive’
or ‘expressive’ lyric offers the poet’s voice in a conversational
mode, often meditating on the world around her.
malapropism
The misuse of a word, or its use in a wrong context. For some
contemporary poets the error may be deliberate in a spirit of play,
humour or performance.
narrative poetry
Essentially a poem which tells a story, often traditionally divided
into three categories: epic, romance and ballad.
nation language
A term fi rst coined by poet-theorist Edward Kamau Brathwaite.
It offers a challenge to the imperial ‘correctness’ of English, and
acknowledges the infusion of different languages, idioms and
dialects spoken in Caribbean English.