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Recent Reviews for C. E. Laine
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The Weight of Dust (Book) - 8/28/2003 6:10:38 PM
C.E. Laine's The Weight of Dust
Reviewed by SOMETIMES CITY Editor-in-Chief kris t kahn
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THE WEIGHT OF DUST
Poems by C.E. Laine
Writer’s Club Press, 2003. 136p.
ISBN 0-595-26943-5
In her second full-length collection of poetry, C.E. Laine proves that a minimalist approach to writing and to observing situations poetically is essential. Her stark and evocative verse fuses conversational tones (as though the poet is aware of her readership) with the revelatory aspect of private, diarist writing. In fact, many of her haiku sequences in The Weight of Dust, are reminiscent of pages one might find in a poet’s notebook: sketches, slight meanderings, all aimed at recording as much of life and its travails as possible. These haiku sequences are astounding in their craftsmanship, and it is not unwise to say that Laine stands at the forefront of those writing the contemporary, modern haiku.
The recurring images throughout this collection succeed in building a book based upon, and perhaps framed by, memory and recollection. The reader encounters nameless inhabitants of the poet’s past and is struck by the powerful relationships that always seem to end in death. As Laine states in the title poem, these figures, these figments “carry no tune; only the weight of dust.”
And yet this is not a collection of sorrow alone. Countered with the dust and desolation and sometimes violent associations (as in “Some Girls in Juarez”), is a recurring theme of flight. This theme comes across literally in the poem “My Drug of Choice Has Wings,” in which Laine describes her love of aviation; in fact, a previous poem has her reminiscing about French author-aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupery. There is this actuality and then there is also the notion of metaphoric flight, of transcending experience, a notion that saves both the poet, her memories, and also the language itself which is seen to have a healing power all its own.
“Broken,” an early poem in the collection, laments the loss of a tangible language, one that can be molded to fit any experience; Laine feels here that “words don’t mend / what’s been damaged.” It is noteworthy that this early poem is then later countered by “Because Mountains Remain,” a poem about the primal aspects of language which recognizes the duplicitous nature of words: words can be “claws / and can split stone” but they can also be “empty / hollow things.”
This progression from lamenting to acknowledgement and, finally, to acceptance, is a powerful part of The Weight of Dust. Incredibly readable and emotionally challenging, this collection is certainly an important addition to contemporary poetry as it shows the poet in the act of creation. Whether creating her own self, her words and her verse, or else fashioning from memory images of the past, C.E. Laine proves that spare verse can capture and cage these elements of existence—she says in “Inheriting Books”: “I saved him in those pages”—and that the written word (despite language’s flaws) is unarguably vital.
Allegory (Book) - 1/26/2003 5:28:40 PM
Allegory as an art form....
C.E Laine not only possesses a compelling command of language, but also makes perfect use of every silent pause found between the lines of her poems. Allegory is much like opening a letter from a friend you've been wishing to hear from for ages. There's a pure familiarity that becomes all wound up in a sense of renewed self-discovery when looking at pieces of life though her imaginative eyes. One can easily meet (or rediscover) their mother, brother, or locate a forgotten lover amid these pages. C.E's scope of theme is set on a wide range of vision, thus enhancing the freshness and intensity of the work as a whole. Poignant, clever, and daring are but a few words best suited to describe. You'll also notice this poet's words skills are every bit as effective whether the poem fills a page or merely runs a few lines deep. Also, another attractive feature is the way Allegory performs well for either male or female audiences, refusing to be tied down by a monotone perspective. If in search of a read that is far above average and well worth your time and attention, I highly recommend this publication. Allegory is to be remembered, as well as shared.
Silent (Poetry) - 8/26/2004 6:53:17 AM
And yet... the reader is glad for the words.
What Remains (Poetry) - 8/26/2004 6:51:46 AM
This has the quality of being grabbed by the arm and told... look! I like that. I like this.
Words on the grave of my youth (Poetry) - 2/20/2004 10:43:52 PM
what a wonderful slice of life this is...well done, C.E.
WHY I WROTE MY FIRST LIVING WILL (Poetry) - 12/10/2003 9:09:54 PM
Impressive images, C.E. Well written and certainly thought provoking. I share the reasoning behind living wills: if God wants me, please, DON'T hold me back! ~~Bonnie Q
Words on the grave of my youth (Poetry) - 12/4/2003 9:28:29 PM
Oh, my, CE, you took me back: all the way back to Texarkana and Arlington, Texas. We didn't know when we had it so good, did we? Excellent imagery, excellent write. Visit my den sometime. ~~Bonnie Q
Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C.
Associate Editor, Washington
Waltsan Publishing, Texas
Words on the grave of my youth (Poetry) - 11/4/2003 12:52:20 PM
Girl, you make it seem like I'm there... ;) Good write...
Words on the grave of my youth (Poetry) - 10/18/2003 3:48:56 AM
clap clap clap....excellent write....BHUWAN
Words on the grave of my youth (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 11:52:09 AM
This is powerful, really makes you think and remember childhood moments. Very well done.
Three phases of unloving him (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 7:31:22 AM
Oh, how I feel your pain! You have given this not only a great title...but a touch of uncommon artistry with words. "Your voice echoes between tin cans tied with string..."
I love this analogy!
lust as a vidalia onion (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 6:29:23 AM
Yes!
unstable angina (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 6:21:43 AM
all i can say is wow, wow, WOW!!
i'm so glad i found you.
WHY I WROTE MY FIRST LIVING WILL (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 6:20:00 AM
oh my god is this great!!
Twelve months of haiku (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 6:16:48 AM
a great link poem in the haiku form.
Obituary (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 6:15:33 AM
you are a true talent.
gangrene (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 6:14:34 AM
the wonderful world of the surreal.
Words on the grave of my youth (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 6:12:06 AM
this is awesome! great title too
Words on the grave of my youth (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 5:56:08 AM
I loved this.
-J
A Meadow on Change (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 3:42:26 AM
delicate and meaningful, i love it.
two strophes for a stain (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 3:37:48 AM
so cleverly done, its quite something. really.
Words on the grave of my youth (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 3:35:44 AM
oh yeah, me too honey, me too.
Words on the grave of my youth (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 1:09:52 AM
A delightful and charming read! I keep a list of things too.
Cheers
Alain
Words on the grave of my youth (Poetry) - 9/25/2003 1:03:19 AM
may i make a suggestion... post one poem per day...
Silent (Poetry) - 8/28/2003 10:48:54 AM
I am delighted to find your work. This piece has real impact, real flavour to it. Excellent.
Silent (Poetry) - 8/28/2003 7:15:04 AM
Wonderful.
How to close the date (Poetry) - 5/29/2003 10:34:21 AM
Sexy and feisty
DAISY WISHES (Poetry) - 5/29/2003 10:32:40 AM
Nice poem, I also like the way you put a picture of yourself for every poem, I think that's a nice touch
gangrene (Poetry) - 5/29/2003 10:30:53 AM
Very nice surreal piece
Silent (Poetry) - 5/29/2003 10:28:12 AM
Beautiful stuff
Silent (Poetry) - 5/9/2003 8:42:43 AM
the poem Silent is like an idle wind
soft yet full within.
Obituary (Poetry) - 5/8/2003 10:07:21 PM
... True expression of temporary emotion that traveled from eternity of yore to immortality now, which comes with the new and the old; both prodding imagination.
"Obituary" is poemized with emotions of today's happenings and poetized in free verse with words of the future now... and that is some of the freedom of poetry.
I Salute the Author of "Obituary".
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU
WHY I WROTE MY FIRST LIVING WILL (Poetry) - 5/8/2003 9:48:09 PM
All reads clearly, but it seems to me that an esoteric message is wrapping the lines... -two hundred and sixty letters making sixty words that form three stanzas, (Terza-Stanzas)- translating the voice of the sage.
"WHY I WROTE MY FIRST LIVING WILL?" is a profound composition, a poem standing on the ground of deep thoughts.
I did enjoy a striking thoughts reading. A true poem to fill the page of literary eternity in the immortality of the Verb.
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU
Twelve months of haiku (Poetry) - 5/8/2003 9:26:36 PM
"Twelve months of haiku" is a serial Haiku of magnificence.
I Salute the Author of "Twelve months haiku".
It is a privilege to read the works of Poet C. E. Laine.
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU
Silent (Poetry) - 3/18/2003 6:54:04 PM
lovely
How to close the date (Poetry) - 3/16/2003 7:12:03 AM
It's about time girls gave post-date instructions! Seriously...these are cute, coy and well-written. Thanks, K.K.
Silent (Poetry) - 3/12/2003 1:30:49 PM
"But flowers remember the footprints of bees". Now that's poetry!
~Joseph
Silent (Poetry) - 3/9/2003 12:41:22 PM
Celaine, found your poem to be very seductively beautiful. Much feeling for love and beauty of life in such a few words. The length means little as long as the quality is there. Loved your poem.
Silent (Poetry) - 3/2/2003 7:29:40 AM
wow...this is outstanding write...very very excellent write...thanks for sharing this....cheers...love n luck....BHUWAN
Silent (Poetry) - 3/2/2003 6:43:47 AM
Greatly appreciated.
Silent (Poetry) - 3/2/2003 6:30:49 AM
"...But flowers remember
the footprints of bees;..."
How perfect! There's a phrase I wish I'd written. Adore this poem!
Defining Memory (Poetry) - 3/2/2003 4:53:18 AM
... lovely; a very evocative and intelligent write.
Silent (Poetry) - 3/2/2003 4:50:25 AM
... nice poem, healthy outlook; well done!
Defining Memory (Poetry) - 3/2/2003 4:30:23 AM
Excellent writing.
Chrissie
Silent (Poetry) - 3/2/2003 4:28:36 AM
Outstanding.
Chrissie
Defining Memory (Poetry) - 3/2/2003 4:25:04 AM
"Other memories
are brightly colored nylon,
filled with helium, rising
high and out of reach."
Wonderful choice of words. Flows beautifully.
~E
Silent (Poetry) - 3/1/2003 11:16:46 PM
This is good!
~E
gangrene (Poetry) - 2/26/2003 9:13:18 AM
gangrene, to be sure ... and the perfect companion piece to this would be the "phantom pain."
DAISY WISHES (Poetry) - 2/14/2003 4:28:46 PM
felt the summer breeze and so the petals...
Defining Memory (Poetry) - 2/14/2003 4:25:37 PM
tweaked into a "poem" that
slides into fits of discontented,
blue, moody eloquence.
Excellent
gangrene (Poetry) - 2/13/2003 8:56:14 PM
I have an ex who always seems to have knife an fork at the ready. lol.
Nicely done.
-James
Defining Memory (Poetry) - 10/20/2002 8:12:02 PM
i really like the iamges you have created and the flow and syntax of your thoughts...
Defining Memory (Poetry) - 10/20/2002 7:21:16 PM
I like being pinched by punctuation.
How to close the date (Poetry) - 10/20/2002 6:16:53 PM
Beautiful!
gangrene (Poetry) - 10/20/2002 6:15:16 PM
well done -(it is those strange dreams that have the most to teach us)
DAISY WISHES (Poetry) - 10/20/2002 6:09:33 PM
This is a very beautiful poem - verse flows nicely -
Defining Memory (Poetry) - 10/20/2002 6:05:25 PM
Well done -
"pinched into inadequate words" -
I like this - good imagery
Defining Memory (Poetry) - 10/20/2002 6:02:43 PM
Great imagery. Excellent writing.
Defining Memory (Poetry) - 10/20/2002 5:45:29 PM
Excellent..
How to close the date (Poetry) - 10/20/2002 5:34:02 PM
Very beautiful poetry.
Well done.
Peg
How to close the date (Poetry) - 10/20/2002 5:32:49 PM
Great ways to end a date. Beautiful.
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