This major new poetry collection focuses on poverty, power and the ways in which they are interconnected and intrinsic to each other. The theme of 'Appalachian Fall: Poems About Poverty in Power' was inspired partly by the situation in last year's American Presidential Campaign, in which President Trump's victory was dependent on voters from impoverished and threatened regions, such as Appalachia. The 'fall' in the title, the American autumn season, is a metaphoric setting surrounding these poems. Here, 'fall' can be also a technical fall, a drop in poll numbers, a spiritual decline or a dancer leaping from a pas de deux. The poems range from extraordinary autobiography to dialogues and duets between historical and contemporary figures, ranging from Donald Trump to Sara Carter or Jane Austen, and also including favourite characters from Maiden's earlier work, such as George and Clare and Hillary and Eleanor. The cover was created using a sketch by Jennifer Maiden, with silhouettes inspired by dancers from Martha Graham's relational ballet, Appalachian Spring, in tones that suggest resilient life-blood or deep autumn. In analysing the impoverished aspects of power, Maiden recommends the equal perspective allowed by poetry. Maiden's Hierarchical Theory is that trauma results in the sufferer moving up and down precariously in the power structure, something central to the issues of poverty, power, their similarity and polarity. Her poems in this collection act as a platform between the heights and depths of hierarchy, letting the reader, poet and characters look power in the eyes with a level gaze.
By:
Jennifer Maiden Country of Publication: Australia Dimensions:
Height: 211mm,
Width: 147mm,
ISBN:9780995418172 ISBN 10: 0995418179 Publication Date:01 January 2018 Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
