Imaginary Vessels

More about the book

"Compelling, appealing, cinematic . . . Rekdal refreshes the meaning and the image of being displaced in this world." — The Boston Globe "Rekdal's work deeply satisfies, for it witnesses and wonders over the necessary struggles of human awareness and being." — Rain Taxi "In acknowledging the disappointing facts of our existence and singing her way into its amazement, she has created poetry that lives alongside the misery we sometimes witness—and sometimes cause." — Slate Paisley Rekdal explores how identity and existence inhabit various "vessels," including blown glass, soap bubbles, and skulls from the Colorado State Mental Institution. Her poems range from short lyrics to a sonnet sequence celebrating Mae West, showcasing her intellectual curiosity and meticulous research. The work is rich in sound and meter, engaging readers directly. Illustrated with twelve photographs by Andrea Modica, the collection features lines that evoke vivid imagery and complex emotions. Rekdal is the author of four poetry books, a collection of personal essays, and a mixed media work combining photography, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. She resides in Salt Lake City and teaches at the University of Utah.