Terrance Hayes is a contemporary African-American poet. Born in 1971 in Columbia, South Carolina, he was later educated at Coker College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He continued his studies and received a Master of Fine Arts degree with a focus in writing, from the University of Pittsburgh. He currently teaches at the school, along with his wife, poet Yona Harvey.
Hayes' first collection of poetry was released in 1999. Muscular Music received positive critical attention and was awarded several prestigious literary prizes. He followed three years later with Hip Logic, which was similarly received. At this time his work began to appear in national magazines such as The Kenyon Review and The New Yorker. In 2010 Hayes published Lighthead, for which he won the National Book Award. In 2014, he was awarded a MacArthur grant for his poetic successes. His most recent work, How to Be Drawn, appeared in 2015.
Hayes' work offers an unflinching exploration of race, sexuality and culture, as it is experienced through his eyes. He displays incredible creativity with poetic forms, and often deviates from formal conventions. For this, and for the relatable, insightful consistency of his work, Hayes has grown to be known as among the most critically acclaimed poets of his time.
