Reproductions of the Empty Flagpole Author:Eileen Tabios, Eileen Tabios Reproductions of the Empty Flagpole is a selected prose poem collection (1996-2002) by Eileen R. Tabios. This is the first U.S.-published poetry book by Tabios who is a recipient of the Philippines' National Book Award for Poetry. Reproductions' primary influence is the inspiration provided by a wide variety of art works, ranging over ancient Gr... more »eek art to abstract expressionism to contemporary minimalist sculptures. Tabios combines ekphrasis with a postcolonial sensibility informed by writing in English as a language once used to help colonize her birthland, the Philippines. In addition, Tabios' approach incorporates her interest in re-imagining Identity to reflect her location in the Philippine diaspora. Reproductions offers a compelling introduction of Tabios' poetry to an audience beyond the Philippines' borders. Tabios' previous poetry books were published in the Philippines. While her poems are widely published in a variety of U.S. journals, Reproductions offers a comprehensive compilation of her poems. In combining ekphrasis with decolonialism concerns, Tabios offers poems unusual in their approach and content. Her path is summarized in one of the epigraphs to her book when she quotes Buddha for having said: Don't take my word for this.