Somewhere, in front of my name

Prosser Stirling

Somewhere, in front of my name
Format
Paperback
Publisher
Saint Julian Press, Inc.
Published
14 October 2024
Pages
98
ISBN
9781955194334

Somewhere, in front of my name

Prosser Stirling

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Prosser Stirling's debut poetry collection, Somewhere, in Front of My Name, arrives like a fresh gust in the often staid corridors of contemporary poetry. Eschewing the prosaic in favor of a vibrant tapestry of word painting, sound, and rhythm, Stirling offers a striking array of poetic forms. Whether anchored in a specific locale or floating through abstract metaphor, each piece pulses with a singular, immediate voice. The craftsmanship is impeccable, with magical orchestration and imagery, compelling readers to linger and revisit. This is poetry as it should be: a masterful dance of language.

Stirling's knack for selecting the precise word or phrase is uncanny. He possesses an eye and an ear for the extraordinary, reminiscent of a seasoned riddle maker. His poems repurpose nouns into verbs, breathing new life into the language. Alliteration is deftly employed like a chef adding just the right amount of spice to elevate a dish. Echoing Billy Collins' wisdom, Stirling knows that a poem concludes when the reader feels it should, ensuring each piece ends where the reader's emotions dictate.

First-time readers of Stirling's work should arm themselves with a dictionary and a steaming cup of ginger tea. This collection promises not only enjoyment but also an intellectual challenge.

Somewhere, in Front of My Name, charts a course down the passionate river of existence with serene yet wide-open eyes. It guides readers through shifting currents, delving into profound depths. Stirling's words evoke vivid imagery: "Slackened oars break the sound / as my skiff drifts in the silver-plated wake; / between green growing on green, / ghosted cypress stumps, / stone solemn, / absorb the boat wash / to silence my passage." The poet is on an eternal quest for the elusive - the cusp of connection, a memory, an understanding. Something cherished, something lost, something not yet imagined. "I... take shelter under wattled withes, / and bird my way through fell acres to seek you, / still not knowing / your face / or name."

Stirling's keen observational skills and auditory sensitivity are evident in his compact, sound-rich lines, brimming with implication. Each poem is a puzzle, inviting readers to pause and let fresh insights emerge. His work marvels at the grand and the minute, the macro and the micro. The cosmic pull between all entities - human to human, human to nature, human to past - is palpable. "Something big watches us / with animacy of an older world. / Is it a god being born / or two souls at eclipse, / about to detonate / from nearness?"

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