the last word.

Inspired by Tracy K. Smith’s “Declaration,” nine poets used various forms of textual erasure to compose poems based on Thomas Jefferson’s The Declaration of Independence and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding documents of the United States. These poems were then transformed by Tab Journal into “the last word.” 

Tab Journal Vol 14.1 April 2026Download

A wall-mounted sculpture made of densely crumpled and layered newspaper or printed paper, forming a large organic, cloud-like mass. Printed text is visible on the wall beside it.

Shonda Buchanan: The Last Three Words

The Last Three Words by Shonda Buchanan recorded for Tab Journal Amber Lee

Multiple white spherical paper lanterns suspended from the ceiling at varying heights, illuminated from within, hanging above a white rectangular platform on the floor.

Roger Camp: Reversing the common order of nature 

Reversing the common order of nature by Roger Camp

Numerous small white figurines of human forms standing in rows on a surface, each labeled with a name tag. Visible names include Benjamin Franklin, Morris, Livingston, Huntington, Hopkins, Stone, Caesar, and others.

Hilary King: We These Men 

We These Men by Hilary King

 

Tote bags that have been roughly attached to one another creating a tapestry from height of ceiling extending far onto the bottom of the floor. Buttons with black lettering are arranged mimicking the poem's composition

Ellen Kombiyil : Declaration—a lament  

Declaration—a lament by Ellen Kombiyil

Large sheets of brown kraft paper hung on a wall, painted with bold black brushstroke-style bands. Over the brushstrokes, handwritten white script poetry is visible, with lines including phrases such as 'hostilities advocate a union of force' and 'a separated child is the precedent.

Alison Lubar: The Sun never shined on a greater cause of worth  

The Sun never shined on a greater cause of worth by Alison Lubar

Copper pennies placed in a grid on a wall with oversized black block letters and numbers.

Victoria Livingstone: National Policy   

National Policy by Victoria Livingstone

Large canvas hanging from a horizontal rod, with hand stenciled text running across them in thin lines. A small wooden stool sits below.

Julia Ross: Self-Evident 

Self-Evident by Julia Ross

A close-up of transparent or acrylic panels etched or printed with fragmented poetic text, including phrases like 'a clear idea' and 'the nicest construction.' The panels are layered, creating a sense of depth, with concrete blocks visible in the background.

Patty Seyburn: a clear idea  

a clear idea by Patty Seyburn

Kenton K. Yee: Thirteen and Ours  

Thirteen by Kenton K. Yee
Ours by Kenton K. Yee

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