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Book Reviews
Review by Liz Fortini Hence this Cradle, by Hélène Sanguinetti and translated by Ann Cefola, is a tapestry interwoven of images that portray a sense of loss the poet continually questions. This loss is seen as: Christmas Night. Snow. Much silence. Not in My head, sounds of the sea, Immediately taking back what it gives. Cradle and tomb, tied up with foam, rolling on clover: only one face within. I did not follow – I definitely can't anymore – the revelers who suddenly wanted to go catch "a bit of Mass," before spiraling out of cafés. Some of Christ's snowy body, often denied or disowned or adored, promised to all! It's the mystery of this loss that's important to me the grave sweet face, bleeding body that man gave him, as many mouths as wounds for the kneeling, head against their hands, in the half-light of the chapel on the cold slabs worn by footsteps, ….. and "Here are my eyes Prisoner, they're for you" Toward evening those were the exact words Without file or orange whose voice is lost but The stairs echo big and small things Suddenly dropped from the attic window 3 wishes reward the watcher, 3 dreams promise him hard love. as well as Last words: much more useless than the wake of the last migration in this morning's sky, I think. I was rage and still am rage. This return to sweetness cleansed by rage, Rose, my heiress, embrace it Afterwards lost behind. (Hills,Summer eve) Each poem is refreshingly printed in differing fonts and sizes, making reading lively. Sometimes italics dominate boldly, other times no. Many poems are dedicated to someone named Rose, found above and below: Rose,
Who still makes my heart race Seesaw in my throat, the night pushes its Own choking images, image of the north grating From fields sifted with hoarfrost, Your souls little claws, little apes full Of tears, suspended Suckling the neck Many poems are continuations of images and there is not necessarily a division between one poem and the next. There are powerful recurring themes in this. A strong example is the usage of ‘eyes,' which I found in over seventeen poems, as well as usage of ‘seen.' Many examples abound: ‘that she could see', ‘have you seen', ‘how does one see', ‘what can you see', ‘me hidden watching you' and more. The poet is continually questioning what is out there and why the status quo cannot stay the same. How the white mare's eyes told me leave leave! Do you get it what I say, “not enough love to stay?" This is our country I am keeping, the fig tree, eyes behind the foliage, bed hidden deep in my eyes, who would I be in flight, a refugee, tearful, and… and Rose, I write you here where it snows I don't have any more Bread. From waiting under the reeds, my eyes have gotten bigger I believe Also from being barbed by the night watchmen, and the moon played her role, She too in my eyes….. and How your eyes. “I'm hungry, I've a sister," for you and for her, take what cannot be seen and that I cannot call by any name. So where is the beautiful face that was gauze on the peak. Bread and fanfare in the rucksack, blending gazelle cloud and sea! Everyone ran always ran, ah; gatherers of pebbles, small bleeding, and cold. How your eyes. Ann Cefola uses exact translation which I like. This way there are no hidden meanings, or questioning if the poet actually expressed the images she wished too. The book is translated in simplicity. About the Author Hélène Sanguinetti is the author of three books of poetry: Alparegho, Pareil-à-rien, D'ici, de ce berceau, and De la main gauche, exploratrice. Her work has appeared in a several anthologies, most recently in 49 Poètes and L'Année poétique 2005. Recently she collaborated with Anna Baranek on an artist's book, Ô III. Hence This Cradle, Ann Cefola's translation of D'ici, de ce berceau, is Sanguinetti's first book to appear in English. About the TranslatorAnn Cefola's chapbook, Sugaring (Dancing Girl Press), April 2007. She has won a 2007 Witter Bynner Poetry Translation Residency and the 2001 Robert Penn Warren Award judged by John Ashbery. Ann (anncefola.com) also holds an MFA in Poetry from Sarah Lawrence College and works as a creative strategist (jumpstartnow.net).  |
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