David Bottoms (born November 11, 1949) is an American poet, novelist, and editor. He is widely recognized for his lyrical, narrative poetry often set in the American South, exploring themes of rural life, memory, adolescence, and the natural world. He served as the Poet Laureate of Georgia from 2012 to 2022.
Early Life and Education
David Bottoms was born in Canton, Georgia, and grew up in Marietta, Georgia. He attended Mercer University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971. He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree from West Georgia College (now the University of West Georgia) in 1973 and a Ph.D. from Florida State University in 1975.Career
Bottoms began his career as a poet, publishing his first collection, Jamming with the Band at the Charlie-Horse Music Emporium, in 1978. His work quickly gained critical acclaim for its distinctive voice and evocative imagery. Throughout his career, he has published numerous collections of poetry, two novels, and has edited several anthologies.Beyond his writing, Bottoms has had a distinguished academic career. He taught at Georgia State University for many years, where he held the position of Professor of English and Creative Writing. He also served as the editor of the literary journal New Delta Review.
In 2012, Bottoms was appointed the Poet Laureate of Georgia by Governor Nathan Deal, a position he held for a decade until 2022.
Works
Bottoms's literary output includes:-
Poetry Collections:
- Jamming with the Band at the Charlie-Horse Music Emporium (1978)
- Holy of Holies (1982)
- In a Field of Old Days (1987)
- Under the Vulture-Tree (1992)
- Vagrant Grace (1999)
- Waltzing at the Piggly Wiggly (2007)
- We Almost Disappear (2012)
- Small Mercies (2016)
- The Day Before the Day (2020)
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Novels:
- Easter Weekend (1990)
- Mimosa (1993)
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Edited Anthologies:
- The Georgia Review: 50th Anniversary Poetry Anthology (2000, co-editor)
Themes and Style
David Bottoms's poetry is characterized by its accessible narrative style, often drawing on personal experiences and observations of the American South. Common themes include:- Southern Life: Depictions of rural and small-town Georgia, its landscapes, people, and traditions.
- Memory and Nostalgia: A frequent exploration of childhood, adolescence, and the passage of time.
- Nature: The natural world, its creatures, and its often harsh beauty.
- Spirituality and Doubt: Subtle undertones of spiritual questioning and a search for meaning.
- Everyday Moments: Elevating ordinary experiences to profound reflections.
His language is typically clear and unadorned, yet capable of profound emotional resonance and vivid imagery.
Awards and Honors
Bottoms has received numerous prestigious awards and fellowships for his contributions to literature, including:- The Walt Whitman Award of the Academy of American Poets (1979) for Jamming with the Band at the Charlie-Horse Music Emporium.
- The Levinson Prize from Poetry magazine.
- The Stanley Kunitz Prize from Columbia magazine.
- A National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship.
- A Guggenheim Fellowship.
- The Governor's Award in the Humanities.
- Poet Laureate of Georgia (2012-2022).