Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Patina a chapbook of poems by Tess Kincaid

I have spent an enjoyable afternoon, reading Tess Kincaid's evocative poems in her first chapbook just out from Finishing Line Press.

Some of the poems are dedicated to ancestors such as:"for Peachy Bright, 1841-1865." If you read Tess' blog, Willow Manor, you may even have seen photos of many of these ancestors. What a wonderful way to memorialize them, through these perceptive and original poems.

Here are a few lines from Winnie, for Winifred Hanna 1881-1975.

The map of veins
looks unnatural cooped-up
on your calico lap. Your wiry
hands seem more at ease out back, doing something
constructive, like beating a rug.

Each poem is a small portrait, a word daguerreotype. We are brought into a world long gone and intriguing. Invited to imagine another's life and being.

In The New Order we meet a persona perhaps of Tess herself.

I am a magpie.
My fleshy nest
is feathered in flotsam.
Not a hoarder, but rather
a hunter, gatherer of thoughts,
a scavenger of curios and the curious.

It's funny how we feel we come to know people from their blogs and in this case from their poems. Tess/Willow often posts about curios she has found in her local Good Will shop. Lost and forsaken, she brings them back to the manor to give them a home.

But some day they will return to the vast world of the thrift shop.

The manor, ready for auction,
is shiny, stripped and greased,
for meticulous scrutiny.

As will the poet herself.

I, too, am carefully wrapped,
boxed, and labeled "assorted secrets
and stories," a discreetly forgotten casket,
stowed dowerless, in a thrift store of dirt.

Tess' book is available at Amazon.com. Well worth the purchase. I know I will reread it again and again. Congratulations Tess!! (sorry, I dont know how to get the exact link to the book so this is the general amazon link. or you can go to Tess' blog, link above, and click on the book cover photo)

6 comments:

Lynn Cohen said...

Beautiful writings you introduce us to here Suki, thank you. What pictures she paints with her words.
Ah.........

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Thank you for introducing us to Tess. Her poems are intriguing. I would love to meet some of these people.

Tess Kincaid said...

Suki! What a fun surprise. Thank you so much for this lovely review of Patina. I'm so glad your copy finally arrived and that you're enjoying it. I appreciate your kind support, dear friend.

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

This is exciting. Another Blogger with a book. I will check it out. Are you getting excited about your visit with Robin and Lolo soon? I know Robin is excited.

~Babs said...

Oh yes,,,Tess's poetry.
She's pretty darned amazing alright, with a very interesting blog, chocked full of her intrigue!

studio lolo said...

Oh my...I will check out Amazon. What beautiful words and imagery.

Sorry we didn't link up. Damn New England weather!

We thought about you today as we did make it to Mim's for brunch. We felt your presence in spirit.

xoxo
Love,
Lo and Robin♥