“White is not blank nor is it pure,” notes Ketner in a formally striking work that moves beyond the personal to a larger understanding of the world. A National Poetry Series selection; poetry fans will want.
This pleasant collection will appeal to fans of W.S. Merwin, Billy Collins, and Mary Oliver, with the poems about China even eliciting resonances with Charles Simic. But some readers may leave feeling underwhelmed by its simplicity and quotidian focus. Those looking for more contemporary Chinese poetry in English might be better served by Liu Xia's Empty Chairs. [See Prepub Alert, 10/22/17.]
Lee's stillness and clarity alone, based on their rarity in contemporary poetry, make this a collection worth having. Add to that the depth of history, memory, and familial trauma and one is left with a stunning addition to an oeuvre already widely and deservedly appreciated.
Some may crave back matter for context, but Brimhall's work is an unexpected and refreshing, though not essential, addition to contemporary poetry collections.