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A review by elianachow
Together and by Ourselves by Alex Dimitrov
3.0
Poems of this form befuddle me in both the reading and the making. How does one differentiate between “good” poems and “bad” poems in this form—fragmented and sprawling and collaged? Where cadence and sonic value seem to lack, how does meaning itself rise to the occasion and take over through initially disjointed image, metaphor, introspection? How do we measure a poem?
I would also appreciate assistance in understanding a certain choice of punctuation throughout the entire collection that never allowed me, as reader, to fully settle into a line. I kept being interrupted, perhaps even annoyed, reminded that I was reading a poem. I was made so very aware of my stuttering readership, staccato blinks over the words. And I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Nonetheless, so many of these poems held me spellbound in their wake, especially in the first section. Best read aloud, I think.
“I almost believed love then someone new called me / and time’s been repeating…” (from ‘Cocaine’)
I would also appreciate assistance in understanding a certain choice of punctuation throughout the entire collection that never allowed me, as reader, to fully settle into a line. I kept being interrupted, perhaps even annoyed, reminded that I was reading a poem. I was made so very aware of my stuttering readership, staccato blinks over the words. And I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Nonetheless, so many of these poems held me spellbound in their wake, especially in the first section. Best read aloud, I think.
“I almost believed love then someone new called me / and time’s been repeating…” (from ‘Cocaine’)