In these strong and captivating poems, Patricia Traxler examines the overt and hidden forces of language, from ordinary speech to liturgy, including the power and weight of the unspoken. In particular, Traxler explores the relationship of women to language - how they may absorb power from it or use it as a refuge, how muteness can be a language in itself, how language and silence operate within a family, in a love relationship, or even in the larger world of politics and global concerns.
Many of the poems also enact the interplay of spirit and landscape, or deal with faith, doubt, or loss of faith. Longer poems such as "The Driver," "The Lunatics' Ball," "Confession," and "The Widow's Words" incorporate the voices of different female speakers to form a unified, passionate whole.
Forbidden Words, Patricia Traxler's third book of poetry, is a welcome addition to this remarkable poet's already distinctive body of work.
Many of the poems also enact the interplay of spirit and landscape, or deal with faith, doubt, or loss of faith. Longer poems such as "The Driver," "The Lunatics' Ball," "Confession," and "The Widow's Words" incorporate the voices of different female speakers to form a unified, passionate whole.
Forbidden Words, Patricia Traxler's third book of poetry, is a welcome addition to this remarkable poet's already distinctive body of work.
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