Introduction

Contemporary poetry has become a vital space for interrogating the legacies of colonialism and amplifying voices historically silenced by imperialist ideologies. Through the lens of postcolonial theory, modern poets challenge monolithic narratives imposed by colonial powers, reimagining history, identity, and resistance. This article explores how postcolonial perspectives reshape poetic expression, emphasizing reclaimed narratives and the articulation of marginalized viewpoints.

Theoretical Framework: Foundations of Postcolonial Critique

Postcolonial theory, rooted in the works of thinkers like Edward Said, Homi K. Bhabha, and Gayatri C. Spivak, examines the cultural, political, and psychological residues of colonialism. Said's concept of Orientalism critiques the Western construction of the "Other," while Bhabha's notion of hybridity underscores the blending of cultural identities in postcolonial societies. Spivak's seminal essay Can the Subaltern Speak? interrogates the erasure of marginalized voices, particularly those of colonized women. These theoretical frameworks provide poets with tools to dismantle colonial binaries and articulate counter-histories.

Reclaimed Narratives: Subverting Colonial Discourses

Modern poets reclaim and reinterpret narratives shaped by colonial histories, often reworking classical texts or mythologies from a postcolonial perspective. For instance, Derek Walcott's Omeros reimagines Homer's epics through a Caribbean lens, weaving indigenous, African, and European influences into a layered exploration of identity. Similarly, Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea-though prose-inspires poetic dialogue by centering Bertha Mason, the silenced Creole wife from Jane Eyre, to critique the racial and gendered violence of colonialism. Such works employ intertextuality to dismantle canonical Western narratives, asserting the validity of alternative viewpoints.

Marginalized Voices: Decolonizing Language and Form

Contemporary poets also prioritize marginalized voices through linguistic innovation and hybrid forms. Claudia Rankine's Citizen blends poetry, visual art, and essay to confront the microaggressions and systemic racism faced by Black Americans, creating a visceral account of racialized subjectivity. Warsan Shire, a Somali-British poet, uses code-switching and oral traditions to navigate diaspora, trauma, and survival. Meanwhile, Indigenous poets like Natalie Diaz in Postcolonial Love Poem merge personal and collective histories, intertwining ecological concerns with critiques of colonial violence. These poets disrupt Eurocentric literary conventions, asserting the legitimacy of vernacular languages, non-linear storytelling, and embodied experiences.

Conclusion: Toward a Decolonized Poetic Future

Postcolonial perspectives in contemporary poetry are not merely acts of resistance but transformative projects that envision new ways of being. By centering reclaimed narratives and marginalized voices, poets destabilize hegemonic discourses and foster global conversations about justice, memory, and belonging. In doing so, they redefine poetry as a space of decolonization-a medium where suppressed histories emerge, cultural hybridity thrives, and the subaltern not only speaks but sings.