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An EveryDay Thing
Nancy Richardson’s poems concern coming of age in the rust-belt of Ohio during a period of decay of the physical and political structures that made the region once solid and predictable. Her poems chart the shifting of the foundations upon which a life is built and the unpredictability of events that have profound personal and political consequences, including the shootings at Kent State University.
“Without poetry there would be no history,” wrote Paz, and Nancy Richardson superb book is proof enough. Anchored in the tragic events of Kent State, but radiating out to examine other forms of violence and relationships, Nancy Richardson’s poems speak eloquently and superbly to our own times. To do this she counterpoints the “everyday” whether that be an apt observation or a family event and its unique quality. So for instance, in “Queen Anne’s Lace,” set suddenly in the midst all this, she understands its “Delicacy / in the midst of loss,” but does not stop there, rather moves on to what good poetry should do—heal—as she ends it by noting “these petals of silk, this snowflake of stars,” an image that lets us transcend but not avoid the real world she describes. This is an important book, deftly written, a must read.
–Richard Jackson, UTNAA Distinguished Professor of English, Vermont College
These terse, understated poems pack a great emotional punch. Unerringly, Nancy Richardson hits the mortal vulnerabilities and the socio-political ones. This book is a history of the grievous wastefulness of a post-WWII United States that in many ways has gone to hell; yet there is no accusation here. Rather, there is the poetry of what has been shattered—be it in a motorcycle accident or voter fraud or the Kent State killings—and cannot be put back together.
–Baron Wormser, Author of Tom o’ Vietnam and former Poet Laureate of Maine
Nancy Richardson‘s voice is clearly heard through this beautiful and insightful collection. She makes the ordinary extraordinary with her choice of rich images.
–Madeleine Kunin: Author of My Coming of Age: My journey through the Eighties
“Without poetry there would be no history,” wrote Paz, and Nancy Richardson superb book is proof enough. Anchored in the tragic events of Kent State, but radiating out to examine other forms of violence and relationships, Nancy Richardson’s poems speak eloquently and superbly to our own times. To do this she counterpoints the “everyday” whether that be an apt observation or a family event and its unique quality. So for instance, in “Queen Anne’s Lace,” set suddenly in the midst all this, she understands its “Delicacy / in the midst of loss,” but does not stop there, rather moves on to what good poetry should do—heal—as she ends it by noting “these petals of silk, this snowflake of stars,” an image that lets us transcend but not avoid the real world she describes. This is an important book, deftly written, a must read.
–Richard Jackson, UTNAA Distinguished Professor of English, Vermont College
These terse, understated poems pack a great emotional punch. Unerringly, Nancy Richardson hits the mortal vulnerabilities and the socio-political ones. This book is a history of the grievous wastefulness of a post-WWII United States that in many ways has gone to hell; yet there is no accusation here. Rather, there is the poetry of what has been shattered—be it in a motorcycle accident or voter fraud or the Kent State killings—and cannot be put back together.
–Baron Wormser, Author of Tom o’ Vietnam and former Poet Laureate of Maine
Nancy Richardson‘s voice is clearly heard through this beautiful and insightful collection. She makes the ordinary extraordinary with her choice of rich images.
–Madeleine Kunin: Author of My Coming of Age: My journey through the Eighties
- GenresPoetry
120 pages, Paperback
Published July 13, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 19, 2018
*Thank you to the author for a free e-copy in exchange for an honest review!*
Actual Rating: 4
I'm a picky poetry reader. To be honest, it was really the cover art that made me want to read the book. In An EveryDay Thing, the author Nancy Richardson tackles a very difficult topic: the personal and political consequences of the Kent State shooting.
I have to admit; I was very ignorant about this event, but it seems surprisingly relevant to our current socio-political situation.
Without a doubt, the author succeeded in capturing the gut-wrenching emotion that I could only ever imagine. My favorite poem in the book is titled "Fear." It is a poem addressing the pain in the aftermath of Kent State. At the same time, there is anger, frustration, and a very powerful sort of defiance, all in a few lines.
Another thing to mention is that there are several poems that focus more on the culture of Ohio itself, about the rural way of life. These moments are calming, yet profound, and I found that it made the book as a whole much more cohesive and realistic, creating a delicate balance between positive and negative.
At first, I wasn't sure the writing style would be my thing. It is written in a way that reflects prose, but with line breaks in atypical places. I've personally been a bigger fan of fragmentation and visual manipulation in poetry. As the book continued, however, the author indeed did experiment with the latter and with different styles of writing, and I liked how this changed the pacing of the book slightly in a way that reflected what was happening.
Overall, I really enjoyed this poetry book, especially because of the way it tells an event with historical, social, and political context. I actually learned a lot, but the emotion that the author was able to create was a large part of the reading experience. I would definitely recommend this, as it's not your everyday poetry book!
Actual Rating: 4
I'm a picky poetry reader. To be honest, it was really the cover art that made me want to read the book. In An EveryDay Thing, the author Nancy Richardson tackles a very difficult topic: the personal and political consequences of the Kent State shooting.
I have to admit; I was very ignorant about this event, but it seems surprisingly relevant to our current socio-political situation.
Without a doubt, the author succeeded in capturing the gut-wrenching emotion that I could only ever imagine. My favorite poem in the book is titled "Fear." It is a poem addressing the pain in the aftermath of Kent State. At the same time, there is anger, frustration, and a very powerful sort of defiance, all in a few lines.
Another thing to mention is that there are several poems that focus more on the culture of Ohio itself, about the rural way of life. These moments are calming, yet profound, and I found that it made the book as a whole much more cohesive and realistic, creating a delicate balance between positive and negative.
At first, I wasn't sure the writing style would be my thing. It is written in a way that reflects prose, but with line breaks in atypical places. I've personally been a bigger fan of fragmentation and visual manipulation in poetry. As the book continued, however, the author indeed did experiment with the latter and with different styles of writing, and I liked how this changed the pacing of the book slightly in a way that reflected what was happening.
Overall, I really enjoyed this poetry book, especially because of the way it tells an event with historical, social, and political context. I actually learned a lot, but the emotion that the author was able to create was a large part of the reading experience. I would definitely recommend this, as it's not your everyday poetry book!
December 7, 2018
I would like to start off this review by saying how mind-blowing this compilation of poetry is, never have I read something so creative and atypical. AN EVERYDAY THING is so intense it is like reading someone's soul. Undoubtedly, as you consume this writing it will rip you apart with turmoil and tragedy. For this very reason as a reader, you cannot miss such fabulousness.
I find it fascinating that Richards uses the Kent State shooting as the main focal point in this book of poems since on May 4th, 1970 was the day the people of America became afraid of their own government and since that day nothing has changed, only intensified. Furthermore, weaving in poems of atrocities taking place within today’s society, such as spousal abuse, voter fraud, loss of loved ones, rich people getting richer by polluting the earth and many more subjects. To me, these poems represent the rapid decline that society is making as a whole. The most important point is will society pull out of its downward spiral before it is too late.
The formation and layout of each poem are as unique as the poems themselves. Richardson is quite the rare poet in the way she can paint a portrait of a senseless massacre with only 11 black lines. Additionally, the construct of the poem “MY MOTHER’S HUNGER” is exclusive in the layout combining two poems into one. Line one starts the first poem than line two is the start of the second. Therefore, as a reader, you will read every other line finding two poems in one. This is one of my favorite poems due to the possibility of interpretations. Do they have equivalent interpretations? Or could they be contradictory? Maybe there is no relation at all. Everyone’s interpretation is different, nonetheless. I am going to wrap up my review with a poem that I can strongly relate to. Why is this? I have Rheumatoid Arthritis at 44 years old and this poem resonates deeply with me.
I find it fascinating that Richards uses the Kent State shooting as the main focal point in this book of poems since on May 4th, 1970 was the day the people of America became afraid of their own government and since that day nothing has changed, only intensified. Furthermore, weaving in poems of atrocities taking place within today’s society, such as spousal abuse, voter fraud, loss of loved ones, rich people getting richer by polluting the earth and many more subjects. To me, these poems represent the rapid decline that society is making as a whole. The most important point is will society pull out of its downward spiral before it is too late.
The formation and layout of each poem are as unique as the poems themselves. Richardson is quite the rare poet in the way she can paint a portrait of a senseless massacre with only 11 black lines. Additionally, the construct of the poem “MY MOTHER’S HUNGER” is exclusive in the layout combining two poems into one. Line one starts the first poem than line two is the start of the second. Therefore, as a reader, you will read every other line finding two poems in one. This is one of my favorite poems due to the possibility of interpretations. Do they have equivalent interpretations? Or could they be contradictory? Maybe there is no relation at all. Everyone’s interpretation is different, nonetheless. I am going to wrap up my review with a poem that I can strongly relate to. Why is this? I have Rheumatoid Arthritis at 44 years old and this poem resonates deeply with me.
CLEAN
Her fingers bent in strange ways,
twigs blown in a strong wind.
At night I would stand beside her
at the kitchen sink, dry each dish.
She worried each small bit of grease,
each baked-on remnant of food,
scrubbing as the hot water poured
over her twisted fingers. Balm of heat
on skin, sacrament of cleanliness
December 29, 2018
I've read a lot of blurbs and reviews on this collection. Most of them say raw, angry, etc. True. Many of the poems are angry. How can one not be angry about the Kent State shootings in 1970? There are several poems surrounding that event, and then some that seem to regard climate change, and even elections. The RESIST part of myself felt very pleased by the examination of these events in such subtle yet telling ways.
However, I must bring up the poignant and beautiful aspect of many of the poems here. I was particularly touched by the poems about her sister (or a sister?). I am very close with my sister so these really hit home. Portland, June 1991, The Fire's Edge, and Later...
Finally, there's the poem River...so exquisite in its simplicity, it's one of the most beautiful poems I've ever read. It all comes back to love. No matter who, or what, you love...love is love.
I recommend this collection to anyone who loves poetry; Poetry that really makes you think.
(I received this book free of charge from the author or publisher.)
However, I must bring up the poignant and beautiful aspect of many of the poems here. I was particularly touched by the poems about her sister (or a sister?). I am very close with my sister so these really hit home. Portland, June 1991, The Fire's Edge, and Later...
Finally, there's the poem River...so exquisite in its simplicity, it's one of the most beautiful poems I've ever read. It all comes back to love. No matter who, or what, you love...love is love.
I recommend this collection to anyone who loves poetry; Poetry that really makes you think.
(I received this book free of charge from the author or publisher.)
January 18, 2020
An Everyday Thing really is a collection of poems about everyday things. In the beginning, Part 1: Fires Edge, the poems are focused primarily on the Kent State Shootings and elections. Violent, broken, pained. Reading it now in January 2020, only two years after publishing, it still feels relevant and personal. The poems are dense and blocky. They fill the page with black ink. As Part 1 keeps going there are a few line breaks, and by the time it's over nearly each line is a stanza. Part 2 seems to do the opposite.
The title poem is in part one. It's a collection of snippets of notes taken during the Kent State Shooting trials, one of which is that line, "isn't death an everyday thing for everyone?" Today it really feels that way. Death is an everyday thing. The poems Pay Dirt and Shale Play reminded me of life in Greeley. The smell and lure of money from CAFOs and oil obscure potential repercussions. I'm reminded of the upcoming election almost daily already.
Part two is softer, healing, as Richard Jackson noted on the back. A lot more nature imagery. More play with shape, format and repetition. Yet they still feel far away, dreamy, nostalgic. The poetry never feels fully in the present, mostly memories. There are poems about family, love, loss, being. Plus they vary in structure from short prose (Guide to Meal Planning), long prose-like lines (Lost), to free formed shapes (Under the Trellis), and intertwined poems (My Mother's Hunger).
I enjoyed the contract between parts one and two and the fact that most of the poems are only one page in length.
The title poem is in part one. It's a collection of snippets of notes taken during the Kent State Shooting trials, one of which is that line, "isn't death an everyday thing for everyone?" Today it really feels that way. Death is an everyday thing. The poems Pay Dirt and Shale Play reminded me of life in Greeley. The smell and lure of money from CAFOs and oil obscure potential repercussions. I'm reminded of the upcoming election almost daily already.
Part two is softer, healing, as Richard Jackson noted on the back. A lot more nature imagery. More play with shape, format and repetition. Yet they still feel far away, dreamy, nostalgic. The poetry never feels fully in the present, mostly memories. There are poems about family, love, loss, being. Plus they vary in structure from short prose (Guide to Meal Planning), long prose-like lines (Lost), to free formed shapes (Under the Trellis), and intertwined poems (My Mother's Hunger).
I enjoyed the contract between parts one and two and the fact that most of the poems are only one page in length.
August 21, 2018
From the Kent State shootings to working on the Kerry campaign in 2004 to child abuse and beyond, An Everyday Thing is raw and complex and a bit angry. The author digs into momentous, and not so momentous, events and happenings and provides a glimpse into how they impacted her. If you're looking for a walk through the forest lyrical kind of poetry, it won't be found here.
My mind couldn't help but wander to Emily Dickinson's dislike of households and chores expected of a wife when I read "Guide to Meal Planning," which shares words from the 1960 Better Homes and Garden Cookbook.
While this type of poetry isn't something I would enjoy on a regular basis--bring on the walk through the forest or something uplifting and inspirational for me--it was interesting to see how the author viewed those historical moments and to get a glimpse into a state I know little about. Life is tough. It's not always clean and tidy. It's often lots of gray and very little black and white. An Everyday Thing by Nancy Richardson reflects those social and political struggles.
My mind couldn't help but wander to Emily Dickinson's dislike of households and chores expected of a wife when I read "Guide to Meal Planning," which shares words from the 1960 Better Homes and Garden Cookbook.
While this type of poetry isn't something I would enjoy on a regular basis--bring on the walk through the forest or something uplifting and inspirational for me--it was interesting to see how the author viewed those historical moments and to get a glimpse into a state I know little about. Life is tough. It's not always clean and tidy. It's often lots of gray and very little black and white. An Everyday Thing by Nancy Richardson reflects those social and political struggles.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews