In the book September by Katrina K Guarascio accompanied by the photographs of Gina Marselle, the author expresses a longing to letting go.
Guarascio is definitely capable of expressing her own process of “letting go” as she shows in three sections of the book. Her poems range from anger to nostalgia. Guarascio seems to have loved the memories that the specific baggage has given her; but she obviously is angered at what this has brought her.
In section I we see poems like “Impermanence” that expresses how she will always remember the memories of whatever she is trying to let go. She explains that, “Like a sunburn, I know you will absorb into me and fade into memory” because she enjoyed what was their but now views it as simple nostalgia.
In section II we see her demeanor change from a place of nostalgia to hate and relief that she is letting go. In the poem “Badge” we see that whatever she is letting go of is inconsiderate of her feelings being like a “scar dug into my [her] flesh… which you ignore every time you brush past.” “Badge” expresses her pain that this thing gave her and the loathing she now has for it.
In section III we see Guarascio’s attitude relax. In the poem “Warrior” we see now that she is joyous in newfound freedom and how “a sense of posture and responsibility is near impossible to slouch.”. She can finally let go and not care about the pain her baggage has given her. Overall, I thought that Guarascio is outstanding at expressing her feelings through poems.
Normally with poems I feel like I am reading another language. However, Guarascio is able to express her feelings through three stages of letting go. September is truly an excellent read with photography that is relevant to the poetry.
Swimming with Elephants Publications 