My Resignation

by Maureen Thorson

How does one overcome the thought that "past failures dictate future performance"? Maureen Thorson's second book of poetry follows a couple as they put their separate histories behind them and create a new life together. In My Resignation, fragments of overheard dialogue, close observations of the changing seasons, and a wry sense of humor blend to narrate the transformation of doubts into certainties, as past heartbreak is set aside with this motto: "Proceed with caution, but always proceed."

Genres: Poetry

78 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2014

About the author

Maureen Thorson lives in Maine. Her third book of poetry, "Share the Wealth," is just out from Veliz Books. She is also the author of "My Resignation" (Shearsman 2014) and "Applies to Oranges" (Ugly Duckling Presse 2011). Visit her at maureenthorson.com

Reviews

[Charis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tender and sweet poems contemplating the fear of stepping out into the unknowns of love.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like any American boy, from kindergarten to pushing forty, I saw a lot of these fantasy dream girls growing up, and you know better than to speak to them, at least not until spoken to. They are the uptown, professional class. Their own mothers tell them that love is not enough.

You remember their names. You write poetry about them. You hope they find that happiness, that love, or whatever it is they want, which never becomes quite clear, for they seem to have everything. You follow up on them. You think they might be another, better species, the post-human.

Anyway, I don't know how to review a poetry book, but that's okay. No one does. Maybe that's the appeal of writing poetry. For a book of poems, though, this one is pretty good. It doesn't mock you or blame Kansas for its problems, real and personal. And that's the most we could ask for.