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Limerence
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 29, 2026
I had the good fortune to drive Dion home after a reading early in 2025. For most of the trip we talked about the subject of limerence at length. The collection of poems in Limerence while covering a range of topics, ultimately circle around her decades long romantic obsession with an idealized partner whose reciprocated emotions are fickle at best. In the midst of suffering the same affliction myself, I've been very taken by this poetry cycle and found it useful in exploring my own situation.
A more distanced review of the material is neither possible or necessary for me.
Highly recommended.
A more distanced review of the material is neither possible or necessary for me.
Highly recommended.
October 4, 2025
Dion O'Reilly's chapbook Limerence, with its exquisite cover, offers a searing glimpse into limerence: a psychological state of involuntary obsession with another person. This, however, is not my essay on the condition of being in limerence as it is much more complicated & intense than a simple yearning. It is, dear poetry readers, my review of a strong testament to resilience of the experience.
O'Reilly has put a lot of thought into this beautiful book by crafting a triptych which takes the reader through the stages of limerence: infatuation, crystallization & deterioration. It's arranged quite brilliantly, really. Each section of the book begins with a poet's quote & sets the scene for the poems which follow. I was gratified to read one of my favorite Atwood quotes before Part 1:
'you fit into me/like a hook into an eye/a fish hook/an open eye'
Unflinching. As is our poet, Dion.
Limerence is an evocative, haunting, slim & powerful book of poems. Dion O'Reilly is a wordsmith who boldly & unapologetically wears her heart on her sleeve. Highly recommended!
O'Reilly has put a lot of thought into this beautiful book by crafting a triptych which takes the reader through the stages of limerence: infatuation, crystallization & deterioration. It's arranged quite brilliantly, really. Each section of the book begins with a poet's quote & sets the scene for the poems which follow. I was gratified to read one of my favorite Atwood quotes before Part 1:
'you fit into me/like a hook into an eye/a fish hook/an open eye'
Unflinching. As is our poet, Dion.
Limerence is an evocative, haunting, slim & powerful book of poems. Dion O'Reilly is a wordsmith who boldly & unapologetically wears her heart on her sleeve. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews