Swallows and Waves

Lithe and exacting, this collection draws inspiration from old Japanese woodblock prints and scroll paintings, resulting in lines at once visual and isolating. With two previous books and numerous awards and fellowships for earlier work, Paula Bohince lives in Pennsylvania.

Sparrows and Camellia

With thimble weight, the sparrows alight
on decorative branches.
Thumbs on a slightly bored body
twiddling the thinnest edges. The day’s
assignment: to while the afternoon
away. Maintain the blurred
between. It is easy
as friendship between love affairs,
vacant of extremity, passion. How cool
the light in this region of no awe. Welcome
middle register: sane, calm.

Reviewed by Matt Sutherland

Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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