Karen Pierce Gonzalez’s Coyote in the Basket of My Ribs is a mesmerising collection that seamlessly melds themes of loss, wilderness, and personal transformation. Published by Alabaster Leaves in April 2023, this collection traverses the raw landscapes of grief and self-discovery with a deft touch, offering readers an intimate journey through the poet’s emotive and vivid imagery.
At the heart of this collection is the figure of the coyote, serving as both a guide and a metaphor for the poet’s inner wilderness. The recurring motif of the coyote in dreams underscores the profound connection between the wild and the domestic, the untamed and the controlled. Gonzalez’s exploration of these dichotomies reveals a deep understanding of the human condition, where the longing for freedom is constantly balanced against the need for stability.
In the poem Coyote Dream I, the poet captures the restless spirit of the coyote, which mirrors the speaker’s own yearning for freedom. The line “Impatient paws push away my dream of domesticity” is particularly striking, highlighting the tension between the speaker’s desire for a conventional life and the pull of the wild. Gonzalez’s use of vivid imagery and enjambment effectively conveys the fluidity and unpredictability of the coyote’s movements, symbolising the speaker’s internal struggle.
Similarly, Wintertide offers a poignant reflection on memory and loss. The imagery of winter pressing “fallen foliage into rain-soaked mud” serves as a metaphor for how memories can be both preserved and altered by time. The juxtaposition of the natural cycle of renewal with the poet’s personal grief creates a powerful commentary on the inevitability of change and the persistence of memory. Gonzalez’s careful attention to the natural world imbues the poem with a sense of timelessness and continuity.
Ferryman of Hades is another standout piece, where the poet reimagines the mythological journey of Charon to explore themes of death and separation. The ferryman’s observation that “nothing, not even death, is free” poignantly underscores the emotional cost of loss. Gonzalez’s incorporation of classical mythology into a contemporary context enriches the poem, allowing readers to draw connections between ancient narratives and modern experiences of grief.
In Taking the Plunge, Gonzalez uses the metaphor of a heart leaping into the rush of “westerly winds” to depict the exhilarating and terrifying nature of emotional vulnerability. The poem’s dynamic structure, with its cascading lines and rhythmic flow, mirrors the physical sensation of falling, drawing readers into the visceral experience of the speaker. The imagery of beavers building a dam of “mud and reeds” at the poem’s conclusion suggests a tentative hope for reconstruction and resilience.
Coyote in the Basket of My Ribs is a remarkable collection that invites wide readers of contemporary poetry to immerse themselves in Gonzalez’s richly textured world. Her deft use of metaphor and vivid imagery offers a profound exploration of grief, memory, and transformation. Each poem stands as a testament to the poet’s ability to navigate complex emotional landscapes with sensitivity and insight. For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the interplay between the wild and the domestic, the past and the present, this collection is an indispensable addition to contemporary poetry.
Karen Pierce Gonzalez’s latest work not only solidifies her place in the literary world but also offers readers a poignant reminder of the beauty and fragility of our shared human experience. This poetry review aims to highlight the strengths of her collection and provide an original perspective that will engage and enlighten readers interested in contemporary poetry.
Karen Pierce Gonzalez’s work include True North (Origami Poems Project), Coyote in the Basket of My Ribs (Kelsay Books ), and forthcoming Down River with Li Po (Black Cat Poetry Press). Her award-winning writing and assemblage art have appeared in numerous publications. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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