The Secrets of Sheets

Whether her poems remain close to home among her loved ones venture out into the urban streetscape or explore the worlds terrains of trauma Pamela L. Laskins concerns are united by her forthright gaze at the human body -- frail endangered but consistently resilient. She offers us a deep and serious engagement with our moments of change of vulnerability and her natural sympathy allows her to embrace with respect and care our most elemental and challenging experiences. Best of all her vision evinces the optimism that arises out of close and conscientious attention; for Laskin the poet must refuse to believe/in permanent stains. We can all be grateful for her bold delicate and affirming poems. David Groff Theory of Devolution Yes in a collection called Secrets of Sheets you might expect mention of laundry as well as everything else that haunts our days and true to poet/wife/mother Pam Laskins expansive heart that laundry includes the metaphoric and the actual - from the sons and daughters which transforms into Dry Cleaners upon the daughters graduation to Other Peoples Laundry to no laundry in Darfur. Laskin refuses to believe in permanent stains. Yet at her tough best she can also write in the found poem Away She was learning disabled so I shot her through her heart.... I didnt want her to die I just wanted to stop being her mother.... Pam Laskin will make you wince in recognition and laugh in recognition but dont worry; shell protect you too. Estha Weiner Editor Blues for Bills