Review of ‘Anywhere Like Peace’ a poem by Carl Phillips

 

‘Anywhere Like Peace’ a poem by Carl Phillips   

I request readers to read the poem first from the link above and then only my review. Thanks.

A poem invariably reveals whether the poet enjoyed the process of creation or not. We find the poet Carl Phillips not only enjoyed the process but meticulously has sequenced the visualizations stanza-wise for the reader to relate to the poem better.

The first stanza’s magical realism indicates that the poet wants the reader to break loose and understand something deep through the impacting magical realism. The stanza points to the hearts that yearn for a shoulder of trust worthy partner who would understand the pains and sensitivities of the other. The expression ‘To confuse closure with conclusion is nothing new,’ doesn’t match with the subtlety and modernity of the poem. Nonetheless, this is crucial for us to connect with the third stanza where pragmatically the poet finds ‘peace within’ is too idealistic. Is the second stanza just sandwiched between the two or does it tell us something that makes the poem wholesome? The title ‘Anywhere like peace’ is clearer to us as we read the second stanza. Is your partner a superhuman? Does she/he have the magic needed to make your pains evaporate and assure you of wonderful trust worthy partnership hereafter?

The third stanza brings the reader back to earth and he gets that reality is a chain of expectations and craving for support and companionship. The figurative expression ‘or if it’s always been true, that winter foliage is the prettiest foliage’ highlights that we focus on things not only by choice and need or priority, but due to unavoidable reasons too. In winter the leaves have stopped falling because fall has ended and we too are more confined to home and find time to observe nature better. Two to three readings and an effort to understand the poet’s thought process are needed to appreciate this poem. The poems and fiction on human relationships have no limit. The distinction of a work among numerous creations depends on whether the creation opens new windows which is Carl Phillips’ success in this poem.