An Ocean Away

An ocean divides us. Yet each particle transfers its energy to the next thereby completing vast connections. <I>An Ocean Away</I> is concerned with these issues of alienation and intimacy. It attempts to reconcile new experience with the task of making one's home in the world. <I>An Ocean Away</I> draws as much upon the apparent facts of family origins and political history as it does upon the no less real facts of memory and fantasy.</p>The author's formative years in New England and his travels in South America and Asia serve as the backdrop for these poems.</p>Belly to tile arms outstretched and listening</br>to the swallowed clink of a lawnmower</br>I sifted through the bottom layers:</br>one bandaid; one lost contact lens; one jelly bracelet (niece's)</br>which might have been from last week</br>or three summers back.</p>But nothing seemed to fit just right.</br>Until I saw your shadow hovering in the shallow end-</br>my desire for you taking shape again.</br>That-and the end of my air-</br>brought me back to you.</p><P>-From At the Bottom</p><P>Engaging naturally crafted.</P><P>-<B>Kenneth Lincoln</B> author of <I>The Good Red Road</I>; Professor of English UCLA. </P>