Feb 26, 2009

Thursday’s Thoughts: What Grabs You?

Which author’s writing surprised you when you first read their work and what about it grabs you?

Since the question is mine, I figured I better answer it, and I'm going to go a bit askew and mention a poet, who has been featured recently here on Savvy Verse & Wit.

You guessed it, Arlene Ang. I've read her work for several years now in journals, and I will immediately read the latest issue of Pedestal Magazine or in whichever journal I find her published next.

What grabbed me first about her poetry is its eccentricty. Yes, her poetry is odd at times, but that's what I love about it. I love the way she thinks about language and applies it in her work.

The Itch on my Scalp Means is one of my favorites; this is how it begins:

"I’ve been drinking in the nude. There was

a special occasion sometime in my past:

the sliding door stuck and I invited the maitre d’
upstairs to come through the window"

I love the inherent suspense she builds at the beginning of her poems; what is this special occasion from her past and does it have to do with this maitre d'?

How about her poem, "Shipwreck"? (I have a poem with the same title)

"Arrival is another
optical illusion of departure—

to reach the bottom,
the body is called upon
to leave first: the surface, a self,

the neck of a broken bottle
that hangs by a string.

Prior to drowning,
people shout in unison
with their faith—little fetish objects
around their throat—

but do not stop
the ship from sinking.

ii.

Even water has a pulse.

It slows down in the absence
of living, and competes
with movements that have
to do with survival."

You'll have to read the rest of this great poem here.

Check out these poems in Poems Neiderngasse.

I also adore that she experiments with her art whether its photoetry in "Like Turned Tables" or her blog.

If you haven't checked out her by now, you should. There's even a chance for you to win a copy of her chapbook, here. Yes, that was my shameless plug for more entrants. Today's the last day!

Happy Thursday!

15 comments:

Anna said...

Nothing wrong with a shameless plug now and again. I think her poetry sounds amazing, and I'll have to check out those links you provided.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Serena said...

Anna: Thanks for checking out Thursday's Thoughts....are you participating this week for my question???

Anna said...

I don't know if I'll have time. We'll see...

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Nely said...

I drink in the nude all the time. :D

Great opening for a poem.

Serena said...

Nely: I don't think I could do that...I'm too modest!

ANovelMenagerie said...

I drink in the nude sometimes... a glass of chardonnay in the bath or shower.

Serena said...

Good to know, Sher

Lenore Appelhans said...

Reminds me of the time I cooked in the nude and accidently poured boiling water on myself. Never cooked in the nude again.

Serena said...

That must have been very painful, Lenore! OMG. No 3rd degree burns I hope.

Jeannie said...

You are the one that introduced me to Ms. Ang. I don't own any of her poems, but that will happen in due time. I love them too!!

Serena said...

Jeannie: I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you to win one of the five copies, but it's all up to randomizer.org

Meg89 said...

I also wanted to stop by and invite you over to Literary Menagerie. A friend of mine just gave her first stab at a book review, so if you could charm her into sticking around, I'd owe you a huge favor!

Happy reading!

The Bookworm said...

Great question :)
Arlene Ang's writing does sound interesting.
Theres nothing wrong with shameless plug's for writers you enjoy, I do it all the time.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Jenners said...

Her poetry is unique and grabs you. I really liked the little taste I got of it!

Serena said...

Naida: I'm glad I'm not the only one plugging certain favorite writers :)

Jenners: I recommend you pick up her Secret Love Poems...its not that expensive and it is fantastic...something you can reread over and over.