Nomads on a Barren Plain

<p>At times somber but brutally honest <em>Nomads on a Barren Plain: Poems on Life and Loss</em> examines dying and grief through the lens of individual moments both illusory and real. In this collection Michelle Spaw draws on historical events and personal experience to ponder what happens after we die and the journey taken by both the soul and those left behind after the passing of a loved one.</p><p>Vivid descriptions include otherworldly imagery: a Viking ship set ablaze the cave of a shaman hieroglyphs in a pharaoh's tomb. Selections such as History and Tending Grief discuss memories and mourning in the more down to earth settings of a garden and a field of playing children.</p><p><br></p><p>An artist and designer by trade Kansas City native Spaw never intended to write a collection of poetry. Shortly after the sudden death of her husband she turned to painting as therapy to work through her loss but when a friend suggested she try writing poetry in addition to her artwork she discovered an unexpected creative outlet and a new expression for her grief emerged.</p><p><br></p><p>During what she calls a session of meditative mark making a type of channeling occurred; thoughts and phrases came forward in unforeseen ways an alternative emotional vocabulary as if the layering of paint prompted the layering of words and with it an understanding that grief (while new to her) is as ancient as time itself. Consider Pompeii where two lovers share a final glance and The Mariner's Widow written from the perspective of a woman standing on the deck of a ship trying to comfort the ghosts of sailors men who perished in a naval disaster.</p><p><br></p><p>Other offerings are more personal in nature as in Forget Me Not a bittersweet homage in remembrance of her husband with a subtle nod to his fondness for novels and Reunion where she imagines the spirits of her parents meeting again on the other side after many years apart.</p><p>However dark some of the subject matter appears Spaw recognizes a certain light within the pain as in Forgiveness where she shares her belief that no event however traumatic is completely one-sided. Strength can come from suffering an almost-magical power lurking beneath the surface waiting to be discovered and used like a talisman. Transition and Hourglass provide the reader with Spaw's reflections on her own passing and eventual resting place where she conveys acceptance of life's journey and the natural course of events.</p><p><br></p><p>Influenced by a variety of writing styles including Daniel Ladinsky's translations of the works by 14<sup>th</sup> century Persian poet Hafiz Spaw employs a minimalist approach with storytelling using short verses and contained language that often reveals a spiritual and impressionistic tone.</p><p><br></p><p>Ultimately <em>Nomads on a Barren Plain: Poems on Life</em> <em>and Loss</em> encompasses more than observations about loss. It is about letting go of the past not only of those we have loved but those who have hurt us and finding a way to honor and appreciate the lessons we have learned the paths we have walked and the things that make us who we are.</p>