Review by Claire O'Connor, Author
The Red Hour is the first in a series from prolific poet @renaaliston who has dystonia, a neurological movement disorder.
I felt myself deciphering and unpacking a lot here and I enjoyed it. Rena’s poetry is profound, dark and very physical. The descriptions and metaphors used for the experienced pain touched me to the bone.
The sensation of writhing spasms and restrictive movements were incredibly immersive and even though this poetry is dark and full of pain, it was also very engaging and interesting.
The writer is very conscious of time, ( hence the collection and series titles).
“The hour hand passing through experiences.”
“Conscious of day and night…”
“…nightmares, and the day approaching.”
Other themes running through the collection were of separation, disassociation, and bitterness.
There’s a lot going on in the periphery, in the minds eye and the change of light.
‘cursed flesh dances’
There are many references to a female persona or energy…the devil? the bitterness? the world? conscious life? Or maybe all of them and more.
The collection is broken down into
Chapter 1 Spells
Chapter 2 parables
I found chapter 2 a little lighter with scenes of running and dancing and escape. It felt a little freer.
Slumber is my favourite poem in the collection and Starving piqued my interest too.
I also want to mention how well this collection was presented both in the order of themes and the format.
I’m looking forward to more in this series!
