Granted

It is rare to have a poet so vividly, so unmistakeably, so symbolically go after some hard truths. Namely, what we long for in love, and how our lives of passion actually play out and what patterns we get trapped in. If one doesn't make early, naive mistakes - and we all do - then we are still left with relationships that don't always make us whole nor strong, independent people. Yet, there is longing, there are ideals...there is wondering about the machinations of heaven. Here is "Monologue to Be Spoken by an Archangel": Snow! & snow of Our Lady! Know the lamb has dropped into sleep, numb, stiff as a courtier, the lamb (Hands indicating the motions of waves) is not with you. (A long time passes) ...and Our Lady grows distressingly simple, caught beneath stones, her white bruises... Who has (Indicating the eyes) not been God's thief? (disappears) Our Lady! is dizzy, ill, among sparrows-She is stripped and salts herself. When she cries, she cries out to... (Indicating absence) ...Who has not been God's wife? I found Szybist's style to be daringly abstract/symbolic, making the language lush and colorful and the messages behind the words emotionally powerful. Her commentary is more about the world than her own efforts and responsibilities, but in her stories we find a call for higher existences here on earth, for expectations that love can mean more than it ever has. A creative, revealing voice.

Mary Szybist, an excellent teacher and strong, confident writer has created an impressive debut. A moving collection that is well worth your attention.

This author helped me discover my love for poetry. I highly recommend buying this book, because a book like this is not just a one time read.

Szybist sounds some notes from other poets...W. Stevens (last poem pays direct homage), Roethke's and Gluck's flowers. But when she does it's with her own voice, her own concerns, which are spiritual and carnal. Great music in the poems, intelligent, engaged. One of the strongest collections I've found from the publishing glut that is National Poetry month...if you are looking to separate the wheat from the chaff of first and returning poets and their newest collections, this collection brings together all that (I at least) look for in new poet and collection.