Abby E. Murray captures mercury between her fingers and her heart in this remarkable poetry anthology.
-Recovery Commands-
The thirty-six poems carry the reader through the harsh light and shards of life of a poet who is partner to a military service person. However, the words carry depth and fire that all readers can embrace. Perhaps embrace is too easy . . . carry? endure? abide with moment by moment?
'Stay' is a poem about following, near death moments and staying. The words are quiet with ripples that scream, calling us to attention and to give attention again.
'Buying Paint on the Brink of War' carries the weight of normalcy when nothing is normal. Consider this verse; " . . . our scuffed walls wait to be covered in a green called Tender and the radio tells our empty kitchen retaliation is a constant way of living, considering no war, like a person, ever ends."
'After a Death' carries the message of consistent care, rules and the ever-rolling years of life and death. The mundane is so much more than we can endure, so it seems. Murray whispers to the reader “. . . I am taught to leave my doors, unlocked, keep the porch light on when it gets dark. We may need to be kind forever."
This collection is fierce and vigilant and worthy of great care from the reader.