Influential Poet Thomas Sayers Ellis Dies at 61
Thomas Sayers Ellis, a meaningful voice in contemporary poetry, passed away at the age of 61 due to respiratory issues. His death occurred earlier this month in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Ellis, born in Washington, D.C., earned an MFA from Brown University. A pivotal moment in his life was attending the funeral of James Baldwin in 1987, which inspired him to co-found the Dark Room Collective, a celebrated community for Black poets.
Beyond his poetry,Ellis was also recognized for his work as a photographer and bandleader. He co-founded a free jazz ensemble, performing with them at venues like New York’s Vision Festival.
In 2016, Ellis’s tenure as a visiting professor at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop concluded following anonymous online allegations of sexual misconduct. He did not publicly address these charges but continued his creative work. In a 2013 interview, Ellis described the challenging yet persistent nature of his creative process, stating, “I can’t prevent the poems from coming.” He detailed the effort involved in his writing, likening it to “bang[ing] the pencil against the page” until he found the right rhythm.
Ellis’s performances, such as his 2008 appearance at New York City’s Bowery Poetry Club, showcased his autobiographical style.His poem “Sticks,” available on YouTube, delves into his experiences growing up with an abusive father and his complex relationship with that upbringing.
