Four Fields

by Dorinda Wegener

Dorinda Wegener's Four Fields weaves family traditions and natural landscapes into a stunning tapestry of loss, trauma, growth, and maturity. Metaphor envelops Wegener's rich language, with words becoming "green as forgiveness" and "trepid as love" as she explores complex familial bonds, religious tenets, and human identity. Wegener's work conveys emotional depth through vivid imagery, transforming birds, insects, and flowers into symbols that represent the truths of life. Four Fields invites readers into its winding pages, immersing them in the croft and leaving a lasting impact with each cedar waxwing's cry.

96 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2024

Reviews

[Maggie Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorinda's work is stunning. These poems demonstrate her mastery and invention of language. These explorations of nature, growing up, grief, and family captivated me. I sat with these people for many months, slowly making my way through so I could savor and chew on each moment. So many lines strike you right when you least expect it: "the person you love and miss is still dead" ("It Is the Ninth Day of Summer"). There are so many standout poems, like the one mentioned above, "The Speed of Light Does Not Follow Any Acceptable Form of Logic," and "I Write You with the Intention of Amendment" just to name a few. These poems offer any reader so much opportunity for reflection and discovery, and most of all I'm grateful for how this book allows me to see my home in the Midwest under a new light and to see that I'm not alone in my grief.

[Sarah Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm stunned by this poet's ability to consistently be both tender and fierce in this collection of poems that only a careful reading can do justice to. The poems speak to each other in a language Wegener has somehow wrought through the interweaving of family history, the natural world she seems to understand at a cellular level, unspeakable grief, and the tension between estrangement and the longing for reconciliation. She wrestles with God, familial loss and unresolved trauma, anchoring these poems with what feels like a photographic memory of people, places and things and their organic connections. An ambitious book, by an author with much to say.

[Kayla Hollatz]

This was such a unique poetry collection debut. Dorinda writes with unflinching, visceral language that often made me go back and re-read particular stanzas.

I had the pleasure of meeting her at a recent book festival and decided to take a chance on her book. I'm glad I did. While I wouldn't consider it the most accessible poetry, it will be cherished by those who have long loved the genre.

[Carolyn Hembree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This long awaited collection by Wegener does not disappoint. What a moving and fearless collection of lyric poems! I look forward to introducing others to her work.

[Megan Pinto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous debut—the music of these poems is captivating. It’s deeply felt and artfully composed. What a gift to the reader!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving collection of poems that explore life, death, and the chaos of the time in between. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection!