Phelps knows well how to turn a phrase. This collection delivers a sense of retribution for any reader who stems from an abusive family. The author presents herself as one who has witnessed her mother’s abuse and suffered her own, at her father’s hand.
Phelps offers the title of her collection and each poem in lower case. She uses effective visual and poetic devices: spatial separations on the printed page, the forward slash, the tilde, the em dash, varied indentations, italicizations, caesurae, and fragmented phrases. Her concern for meter takes second place to the delivery of her message. Her titles and use of metaphors clearly indicate the interruption she experienced at the death of her father, to whom she dedicated this collection.
Descriptions of the father / daughter relationship, in her opening section, leave no doubt about the dysfunctions operating within the persona’s family and regrettably indicate unresolved flaws in the relationship after the father’s death.
The poem, “uninvited,” exhibits fear, loss, regret, and desire. It is addressed to the very father who has incited the family pain. On a visit home, the daughter having matured into womanhood, suffers the father’s comment, “you’re getting fat.” She regards the father’s disgust as an “alchemical fire” of condemnation. This phrase is a fine metaphor for the abuse experienced. I read the volume seated in brightest sunshine, but the darkness of Phelps’ imagery threatened to overcome the light.
In her fourth section “what the darkness hid,” the poet gives further testimony to the abuse. Then at page 92, a new confidence, with its hint at optimism, steps into her white-spaced scenes.
Whether you are fond of confessional poetry, or not, Phelps’ arrangement of words brings its own rewards to the attentive reader, whether we name it an “amalgam / —mining gold” or “hand hewn / open mouthed,” to borrow phrases from the poet.
Throughout, Phelps’ message and her grasping for reconciliation resounds. In her Afterword, she calls on us to be mirrors for one another, to choose compassion, and to practice forgiveness. That message works well for this reader.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
 |
Frequently purchased items with fast delivery
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
