Annabel Wilson’s dusk & us is a poignant exploration of place, memory, and human connection, weaving together themes that resonate deeply with contemporary readers. Wilson’s collection, rich in imagery and emotion, invites wide readers of contemporary poetry to immerse themselves in a world where the mundane meets the sublime, and where personal and collective histories converge.
In Wayfinding, Wilson captures a moment of quiet observation and reflection. The poem begins with an intricate description of a bustling street scene, “Through a hole in the wall at Yummy Jianbing on a cool Queen St evening,” immediately grounding the reader in a specific place and time. The poet’s skillful use of sensory details— “swirl batter like a hieroglyph on the hotplate”—paints a vivid picture that is both familiar and exotic. This setting serves as a backdrop for a deeper exploration of connection and disconnection, as the narrator reflects on the impermanence of human interactions and the persistent flow of natural elements, “Water always finds its way. There are ancient networks of streams flowing under all our cities.” This line underscores the theme of continuity amidst change, a recurrent motif in Wilson’s work.
Another standout poem, The (ever) after after party, delves into the ephemeral nature of youthful revelry and nascent love. The poem’s setting in a “hidden-alley club” evokes a sense of secrecy and intimacy, amplified by the tactile imagery of “coats and jackets and scarves pile up.” Wilson’s attention to detail— “Stamps on wrists. Gold shadows flash. Distant thud of drum n bass”—creates a visceral experience for the reader. This scene transitions seamlessly into a moment of introspection, as the narrator muses, “this is perhaps, perhaps, just quietly, the first day of love.” The repetition of “perhaps” captures the tentative, hopeful uncertainty of new relationships, making the poem both relatable and profound.
In Night sky like an opera, Wilson’s talent for blending natural imagery with human emotion is on full display. The poem’s opening lines, “They stayed up late, cataloguing moths. Pūriri: ghost moth. Emperor, Brown Plume” set a contemplative tone, as the act of cataloguing becomes a metaphor for attempting to capture fleeting moments. The poet’s use of contrasting images— “velvet night, frosted with stars”—and phrases like “tentative tenderness” encapsulate the delicate balance between vulnerability and resilience. The poem’s climax, “Shouldering the night. Eloquent wrists,” evokes a sense of quiet strength and unspoken understanding, highlighting Wilson’s ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety.
The collection also includes The Nest We Made At Port Chalmers, a poem that examines themes of home and belonging through the lens of a shared experience. The poem’s narrative arc, from the intimacy of “a nest in your decrepit bed” to the expansive imagery of “ships we watch the morning after, homing in from Russia, Japan,” mirrors the journey of establishing a sense of place. Wilson’s deft use of language— “Formica table and stools on such a slope, it feels like the menu and cups as well as us could slide off our perches”—captures the precarious yet enduring nature of human connections. The poem’s closing lines, “Making our own version of time, you say. Green waves. Fairy toothbrushes, poisonous purple flowers,” reflect a harmonious blend of the personal and the universal, encapsulating the essence of the collection.
Wilson’s dusk & us is a testament to her mastery of contemporary poetry, offering readers a richly textured exploration of the intersections between the natural world and human experience. Her ability to evoke vivid imagery and profound emotions through carefully crafted verses makes this collection a must-read for those seeking a deep and resonant literary experience. As Wilson guides us through moments of connection, disconnection, and reflection, she reminds us of the enduring beauty found in the interplay of light and shadow, both in our surroundings and within ourselves.
Writer and teacher Annabel Wilson lives in Orhinehou Lyttelton – a port town in Te Wai Pounamu, the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. Her poetry has been published and performed in Aotearoa and overseas. Annabel’s first book, Aspiring Daybook, won the NZ Mountain Book and Film Festival Best Fiction Award (2018) and was long-listed for the Ockham NZ Book Awards (2019). In 2023, she completed a PhD in Creative Writing from Massey University in which she investigated hybrid forms of writing. annabelwilson.net
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