A masterpiece collection from a master of poetry.
Description
In her brilliant collection, Body. Voice. Mind. Mouth., Louise Robertson examines the braided narratives of art, loss, and love. Visceral, intelligent, and tender, Roberston’s poems are glinting gems unearthed and skillfully cut by the honed implements of the mind and heart. Roberston’s collection is a triumph, the most beautiful of blazes. —Sayuri Matsuura Ayers, poet & essayistThe depth of Robertson's work is easy to find. Almost all of her poems operate on several levels. What is less common is the breadth of it, to catch so much of her range in one fell swoop. This book gives you all of her, and I, for one, am better for the journey. This collection is an ocean that never lets you drown. —Scott Woods, writer, poet, & community organizer
A collection of poems so stunningly embodied that they break the pen. Masterful to the core. The work aches with its volume of grief, joy, rage, and gentleness. Bravo. —Mikelle Hickman-Romine, artist, designer, & poet.
Excerpt
Sorry
I say sorry like
it’s a blanket or painted mask.
A dodge, a bright hot wire. It’s
my largest muscle and my fashion sense. Prayer
and penance both. Flagellation.
That is, until she said —
when I nearly bumped into her (saying sorry) —
she said, “You’re fine.”
Like I needed her permission.
What does she know of my sins, buried
as they are in sugar and manners,
a garden of kneeling and cringe.
I can lie to myself so hard,
it makes me stand up straight
in a grocery store aisle
like I belong there.
My sins are a giant
with stiff fingers, broken,
warmed by constant use. That giant
can hold your hand, look in your wet, wet eyes
and make you back down. Sorry.
I am that giant. Sorry.
I have made a meal of sloth and a nest of gluttony
and a eulogy of curses. But lust, sorry, lust
is my ark.
And that lady says, “You’re fine.”
My ship of transgressions lists in the bay of my ever-growing
days — the water, a soft bed for all I’ve committed.
That lady has no idea what the hell I’m sorry
for. I’m fine?
Fuck fine. Can’t you hear me?
I’m sorry.
Details
Pages: 113Genre: Poetry
Reading Level: Adult
Author Name: Robertson, Louise
ISBN: Paperback: 9781938190988
BC Catalogue ID: BCB2025007
Language Rights: Additional language publishing rights are available for purchase. Contact Brick Cave Media.
Media Rights: Additional media production rights are available for purchase. Contact Brick Cave Media.
About Louise
“You won’t know this, but I’ve done a lot of work in the realm of language poetry. I am most proud that people don’t think of my language poems as such. They are too busy experiencing the poem rather than the device.“
