To End a Conversation
In the contemporary social-scapes of Kelly-Anne Riess’ poems, paradise got lost a long time ago. Riess’ Eve is closer to Bridget Jones parachuted onto the streets of Regina. These are sly, wry, manic, and determinedly human poems for the new millennium . . . A sassy debut.
About the book
To End a Conversation portrays women naked in loneliness, longing, and in the temporary, transitory hands of often-brutal lovers.
Within the long traditions of relationship poems the reader is reminded of the timeless sweep of the fear, distrust, and pain that destroy love and those who seek it. But it is Riess’ intelligence and worldliness as much as her powerful dynamics of sexuality and secrecy, and her penchant to capture real and imagined violence, that make this collection bristle with energy.
Kelly-Anne Riess details our self-destructive nature and our inability to save ourselves when we pursue love’s twisted, dangerous paths. But, there remains the indomitable human spirit to endure and come back for more and Riess’ poems capture that spirit in remarkable ways.
Excerpt:
Secret life of a fly
she buzzes around parties for conversational scraps
helps herself to the snacks wishing
she didn’t have to spit to break up food
no wonder they swat at her
it would be better is she could transform
with two legs two arms and a mouth full of teeth
she could chew a whole piece of cake
sip on a glass of wine without falling in
be surrounded by people who want to talk to her
Excerpts also aired on The Writer’s Almanac by Garrison Keillor.
About the book
To End a Conversation portrays women naked in loneliness, longing, and in the temporary, transitory hands of often-brutal lovers.
Within the long traditions of relationship poems the reader is reminded of the timeless sweep of the fear, distrust, and pain that destroy love and those who seek it. But it is Riess’ intelligence and worldliness as much as her powerful dynamics of sexuality and secrecy, and her penchant to capture real and imagined violence, that make this collection bristle with energy.
Kelly-Anne Riess details our self-destructive nature and our inability to save ourselves when we pursue love’s twisted, dangerous paths. But, there remains the indomitable human spirit to endure and come back for more and Riess’ poems capture that spirit in remarkable ways.
Excerpt:
Secret life of a fly
she buzzes around parties for conversational scraps
helps herself to the snacks wishing
she didn’t have to spit to break up food
no wonder they swat at her
it would be better is she could transform
with two legs two arms and a mouth full of teeth
she could chew a whole piece of cake
sip on a glass of wine without falling in
be surrounded by people who want to talk to her
Secret life of a fly
she buzzes around parties for conversational scraps
helps herself to the snacks wishing
she didn’t have to spit to break up food
no wonder they swat at her
it would be better is she could transform
with two legs two arms and a mouth full of teeth
she could chew a whole piece of cake
sip on a glass of wine without falling in
be surrounded by people who want to talk to her
Excerpts also aired on The Writer’s Almanac by Garrison Keillor.