Sep 30, 2009

Apologies to an Apple by Maya Ganesan


Apologies to an Apple by Maya Ganesan is a breath of fresh air in contemporary poetry.  At eleven years old, Maya has a crisp style and is very observant and critical.  Her poems do not criticize overtly, like some poets that tend to hammer their messages home.

"They see the horizon, a smoky gold line
over the sea,
and call it names like faraway and
we'll-never-reach-there.
To them,
horizon is a dream" (From Ash-Colored, pg. 10)

In these simple lines, the narrator observes the horizon in terms of what it means, its location, and how it is perceived by others.  It is an unattainable destination or a dream.

Maya uses short lines to let readers examine the images and statements and discern their own meaning--the greater meaning.  Readers will be reminded of William Carlos Williams' short lines, but Ganesan's work holds a veiled innocence.  For such a young age, Ganesan has an old soul with a great deal of wisdom.  Some of these poems will make readers blush with their self-imposed innuendo.

A Message for You (Page 21)

I have traced your name
with
my finger

on the steamy
glass doors surrounding
the shower.

Readers will find poems to treasure, to savor, and to hold close to their hearts in this slim volume.  As a debut book of poetry, it stands tall among a vast crowd, waiting for readers to hear its whisper.

Yesterday (Page 24)

Yesterday is one book,
today is another.

Different books, telling
different stories.

I like to be part of 
both yesterday and
today, falling out of

one, tipped into
the other.

Her poem, September, was recently showcased in this past weekend's Virtual Poetry Circle.  Readers enjoyed how the narrator speaks of trees as having souls and feelings.  It is a great commentary on how little we pay attention to the environment and its importance.

Susan at ColorOnline let me borrow her signed copy of Ganesan's work for this review, though I did first read about this poetry book on 5-Squared.  I'm going to have to get my hands on another copy for myself.

Also Reviewed By:

5-Squared
Book of Kells
ReadWritePoem (also has a list of virtual tour sites for the book)


4th book for the poetry review challenge.


24 comments:

Anna said...

I'd love to get my hands on this book. From the clips you've posted, it sounds great.

I've added the giveaway to my sidebar.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Mystica said...

I'd love to win this book for my cousin who adores poetry.

From what has been published it sounds so good.

Mystica

mystica123athotmaildotcom

Valerie said...

I would not have guessed these poems were written by an 11 year old. I'm impressed at the quality and would love a chance to read more!

The Bookworm said...

This sounds so sweet, and great cover on the book :)
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

windycindy said...

Poetry has always fascinated me!
Maya Ganesan's book sounds wonderfully written. Please enter my name in your drawing.....
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

"Tweet!"
http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/4516434978.
Again, many thanks!
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I left a comment on this book review:
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5450424838277339646&postID=3473199241992615883&page=1.
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Bridget said...

Incredible poetry from an 11-year old! Just blogged about it on Win A Book. Don't enter me, though.

Miss Haley said...

sounds lovely! enter me plz

haleymathiot at yahoo dot com

Iliana said...

She's only 11? Wow! This is one collection I must put on my list. So please do enter me in your drawing - thank you!

Jessica ( frellathon ) said...

An 11 year old poet, I'm impressed.
I feel so bad because I don't own any books of poetry though I'd love to. Please count me in so I can start my poetry collection. I hope anyway. jessica(at)fan(dot)com

Nonie said...

I would love to read this anthology!

My email in noniekiran (at) gmail (dot) com

-Nonie

Just Someone said...

Wow! That is awesome and really impressive!

I would like to be considered for the giveaway:) ... I have a niece who is 6 and writes lines of poetry; I think this would be a really great inspiration for her:)

Anonymous said...

Saw some of her work in the anthology, would be nice see more of it...

obsessed_reader@hotmail.com

Jafantunes said...

I am impressed!
I would hope to have half the talent!

o_rei_de_havana AT hotmail DOT com

pippirose said...

Remarkable! Please enter me in the giveaway.
:o)
pippirose59 at gmail dot com

cqueen2 said...

Thanks so much sounds great

wadesherry@hotmail dot com

Rue said...

This looks like a great book. Thanks so much for the chance to win!
ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com

andrea b said...

wow, thanks for the giveaway! :)

adbcoz (at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Seems like a wonderful collection of poetry I would win this for myself Thanks
tanyainjville@yahoo.com

Renee G said...

This sounds great. Please enter me.

Can you imagine what she could be writing by the time she's 18?

rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win this book! Maya is a friend of mine--she's such a sweet person!--but sadly, I haven't gotten her book yet! She is so talented and I would love to read more of her poetry!
+1 Blog link: http://bookbutterflyangel.wordpress.com/contests/
+1 Tweet: http://twitter.com/bookbutterfly/status/4729588219

Thanks!

~Jacqueline (bookbutterfly)
lady.dashti(at)gmail(dot)com

Edu Chico said...

Thanks for this chance!

educhico AT gmail DOT com

MariaD said...

A child genius, I suppose.
Beautiful poems!

dr.strangelove.vs.citizen.kane
AT
gmail.com