On Sun Swallowing
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Average rating4
15
Ratings1
Average rating4
"On Sun Swallowing is a sweet and bloody collection of poetry, dancing in the spaces between skinned knees and red wine, satin and switchblades, rosaries and Dionysian ecstasy. Her writings are haunted by the ghosts of girlhood, god/s, lovers and the landscape of childhood, but Warren is unflinching - she haunts her ghosts in return, with sharp lyricism and cutthroat vulnerability.On Sun Swallowing explores shadowy emotion, at times in a whisper, at times in a scream. Think: cheap cigarettes, even cheaper wine, and an oath to reach hell by midnight and be home in time for work in the morning."Compiling five years of poetry, prose and journal extracts, On Sun Swallowing is the debut release of Australian poet Dakota Warren. Winding through unflinchingly raw snapshots of her youth, Warren's words are accompanied by original illustrations from Lydia Stone and curated photography from Francesca McConnell, Caroline Dare, Leche de Arte and Clara Slewa.
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Though this still has the roots of modern poetry that so many find vapid and unnecessarily pretentious, there are two things that separate this book from so many best-selling (and poorly crafted) modern poetry books. First, erudition. Warren knows who and what she is referencing and why, and creates out of it a mishmash of mythology and vibes. Second, and this one feeds the first, passion. This was not something lazily churned out for money, and it shows. Even in the poems where Warren is at her most vague and abstract, she still makes sure to make the words on the page beautiful, something neglected by many poets (looking at you Atticus).
I must also admit my own bias. Between her videos and this book, Warren's example of living life with as much sacred beauty as can be found in every moment has had a lasting impact on me. It has been an aid to me as someone trying to live as a poet and a person with severe depression. Maybe I would be less partial to this book if it had not meant so much to me in the year or so since it came out. Maybe I would feel the same or even love it more.
Regardless, I want to give my honest feelings. This is not a perfect book. I know that and I think Warren does too. It is a beautiful book. It is a book that has had an effect on my soul. And that is more than enough for me.
