The history of anonymity : poems

Chang, Jennifer 1976- (Author).

Summary: "This debut collection of vivid, lyrical poems explores the emotional landscape of childhood without confession and without straightforward narrative. Chang sweeps together myth and fairy tale, skirting the edges of events to focus on the psychological tenor of experience: the underpinnings of identity and the role of nature in both constructing and erasing a self. From the edge of the ocean, where things constantly shift and dissolve, through "the forest's thick, / where the trees meet the dark," to an imaginary cliffside town of fog, this book makes a journey both natural and psychological, using experiments in language and form to capture the search for personhood and place."--Page 4 of cover.

Item details

ISBN: 9780820331164
ISBN: 0820331163
Physical Description: print
82 pages ; 22 cm.
Publisher: Athens, Ga. : University of Georgia Press, ©2008.

Contents / Notes

Formatted Contents Note:

The History of Anonymity -- Conversation with Owl and Clouds -- Hunger Essay -- The Forest on Second Thought -- Apologia pro Vita Sua -- Pastoral -- Obedience, or The Lying Tale -- Innocence Essay -- Sea Psalm -- Genealogy -- ... those who speak most say nothing -- Slept -- Estuary -- And the night illuminated the night -- This Corner of the Western World -- A Move to Unction -- The sign reads -- Swindled, I left everything -- I float in. I float out -- I remember her, a bowl of water -- Today the action is in the clouds -- In the night, I seek a meaning before I sleep -- If there is no memory, it did not happen -- How was I swindled if I was the swindler? -- What I feed on will save me.