Trigger Warning

Reviewed By  Janet Mawdesley       July 31, 2021

 

Author  Maria Takolander

Distributor:      UQP
ISBN:                 9780702263088
Publisher:         University of Queensland Press (UQP)
Release Date:   July 2021  

Website:    www.uqp.com.au 

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Trigger Warning comes with a warning on the back cover buts do not let that deter you from reading, absorbing and relating to this disparate collection of poetry that describes the many facets of life we all have to address at some time in our varied existence.

Commencing with a series of conversations with a myriad of poets Maria Takolander walks us through the trauma of an unexpected, emotionally distraught time when her husband suffers a stroke/heart attack and the acceptance that this once strong man is now as dependent as a small child. Deeply emotional but almost written as cathartic exercise Confessions is a very intriguing introduction to what is to follow.

 Section two Domestic could be considered as an inquisitive exploration of things familiar, such as in the witty but very short piece Toilet: nailed it in two short lines! Refrigerators will never be viewed the same again neither will such domestic appliance as the Baby Monitor, just two of the pieces that have attracted the prose of Takolander.

The third section Outside, is written in several styles, changing the pace of the work to create a finale which is while not expected, is not unexpected. Facing the end of whatever it is, life, a conclusion of learning, the drama of global environmental issues, the murder or destruction of life, ends the collection on a somewhat somber if not disturbing note, but also gives the reader a vastly different perspective to the emotion that is felt and experienced by many in today’s world.

Interesting and intriguing Trigger Warning presents a look into the deeply personal emotions of the poet which is both reflective, disturbing and cathartic while using the many nuances of language to create a picture in words, not easily forgotten.