City of Slow Dissolve: A Haunting and Lyrical Exploration of Loss, Memory, and the Fragility of Time

In her debut poetry collection, City of Slow Dissolve, Mary Burritt Christiansen weaves a tapestry of poems that explore the complexities of loss, memory, and the fragility of time. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Christiansen delves into the depths of human emotion, capturing the bittersweet beauty and profound sadness that accompany life's inevitable losses.

City of Slow Dissolve (Mary Burritt Christiansen Poetry Series)

by Beth Kery

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	971 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	379 pages
Paperback	:	64 pages
Grade level	:	7 - 9
Item Weight	:	4 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.25 x 8.75 inches
Hardcover	:	286 pages

FREE

The poems in City of Slow Dissolve are as diverse as the experiences of loss they explore. Some poems are raw and unflinching in their depiction of grief, while others offer a more gentle and reflective meditation on the passage of time and the memories we hold dear. Throughout the collection, Christiansen's writing is marked by a deep understanding of the human condition and a profound empathy for those who have suffered loss.

One of the most striking things about City of Slow Dissolve is Christiansen's use of language. Her poems are filled with vivid imagery and evocative language that brings the reader into the heart of the experience she is describing. In the poem "Elegy for a Lost City," for example, Christiansen writes:

The city is a slow dissolve, a watercolor painting bleeding into the rain. The buildings are ghosts, their windows empty eyes, staring out at the emptiness.

Christiansen's use of metaphor and simile in this passage is particularly effective in evoking the sense of loss and decay that permeates the city. The city is described as a "slow dissolve," a "watercolor painting / bleeding into the rain." This imagery suggests that the city is gradually disappearing, fading away into nothingness. The buildings are described as "ghosts," their windows "empty eyes." This imagery suggests that the city is no longer inhabited, that it is a place where only memories remain.

In addition to her use of language, Christiansen also employs a variety of poetic techniques to create a sense of loss and longing in her poems. In the poem "Ars Poetica," for example, Christiansen uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The poem begins with the lines:

I write to remember, to hold on to what is gone, to give voice to the voiceless.

These lines are repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and longing. The speaker of the poem is trying to hold on to what is gone, to give voice to the voiceless. The repetition of these lines suggests that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with loss, that they are still searching for a way to express their grief.

City of Slow Dissolve is a powerful and moving collection of poems that explores the complexities of loss, memory, and the fragility of time. Christiansen's writing is marked by a deep understanding of the human condition and a profound empathy for those who have suffered loss. This collection is a must-read for anyone who has ever grappled with the passage of time and the bittersweet memories it leaves behind.

About the Author

Mary Burritt Christiansen is a poet and essayist whose work has appeared in numerous literary journals, including The Rumpus, The Pinch, and The Journal. She is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. City of Slow Dissolve is her debut poetry collection.

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City of Slow Dissolve (Mary Burritt Christiansen Poetry Series)

by Beth Kery

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	971 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	379 pages
Paperback	:	64 pages
Grade level	:	7 - 9
Item Weight	:	4 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.25 x 8.75 inches
Hardcover	:	286 pages

FREE