Jack Bedell’s poetry collection, Against the Woods Dark Trunks, invites readers to explore the haunting beauty and profound depths of South Louisiana’s swamps. The poems within this collection delve into themes of nature, folklore, and the resilience of life amidst the shadows of ghosts, monsters, death, and floodwaters. Published by Mercer University Press, this collection is a rich tapestry that balances darkness with glimpses of hope and new growth. This review will explore the thematic elements, provide close readings of selected poems, and offer a textual analysis to underscore the collection’s literary significance.
Thematic Exploration
Against the Woods Dark Trunks is thematically rich, focusing on the interplay between the dark and light aspects of life. Bedell’s poems explore the haunted landscapes of South Louisiana, reflecting on personal and collective memories, natural disasters, and the promise of renewal.
The theme of ghosts and memories permeates the collection, with Bedell frequently returning to the spectral presence that haunts the Louisiana swamps. In Another Night Just, the poet paints a vivid scene of everyday life disrupted by violence and the lingering impact of past events:
“Our day starts with news
of another mass shooting out West.
We learn about bump stocks,
rush to get things ready for the ride to school,”
The juxtaposition of mundane activities with the backdrop of national tragedy highlights the pervasive sense of unease and the ghosts of violence that linger in modern life.
Nature’s resilience is a recurring motif in Bedell’s poetry, with the cypress trees and other elements of the swamp symbolising endurance and rebirth. In Amano, Bedell captures the tenacity of a broken cypress tree:
“Even what’s left of this broken cypress tree
hasn’t given up reaching for the sky.”
This imagery reflects the persistent struggle for life and light, even in the face of destruction, embodying the core of Bedell’s exploration of nature’s enduring spirit.
Bedell interweaves folklore and myth throughout his poems, enriching the narrative with cultural depth and historical resonance. In La Lechuza, the poet delves into the myth of the eerie screeching owl:
“Not the volume so much
as the anger in her screeches
that causes all the lights in the car
to blink and go out.”
This poem encapsulates the fear and mystery of folklore, using vivid imagery to evoke the chilling presence of the supernatural in everyday life.
Textual Analysis
Bedell’s use of language is both evocative and precise, with a strong emphasis on imagery and sound to enhance the reader’s experience. His poems often juxtapose stark realities with moments of profound beauty and introspection. For instance, in Six More Weeks, Bedell addresses environmental destruction with a poignant metaphor:
“Six more weeks of the spillway
dumping freshwater into Lake Catherine,
and the bodies of dolphin and sea turtles
are washing up on shore.”
The poet’s choice of words vividly depicts the ecological impact of human actions, drawing a parallel between environmental degradation and the loss of innocence.
Conclusion
Against the Woods Dark Trunks is a compelling collection that invites readers to reflect on their relationship with nature, memory, and folklore. Bedell’s masterful use of language and imagery creates a vivid and haunting landscape, where the darkest memories and the promise of new growth coexist. This collection is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the depths of the human experience and the resilience of the natural world.
About the Author
Jack B. Bedell is a professor of English and coordinator of Creative Writing at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he also serves as editor for Louisiana Literature and director of the Louisiana Literature Press. Bedell served as Louisiana Poet Laureate from 2017-2019.
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