The Fork Without Hunger

by Laurie Lamon

In sharply-limned lyrics that are at once elegiac and celebratory, Laurie Lamon explores the inseparable union of pain and happiness that life invariably brings. Bending form with keen originality, this acclaimed poet is both traditionalist and innovator, a writer, says Ploughshare poetry editor David Daniel, “with rare precision and intelligence―and, rarer still, with genuine imagination.”

Genres: Poetry

49 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Mike Vial]

During the summer of last year (2019), I read a portion of this collection. I couldn’t reach its meaning. I abandoned it, but like pain, the book waited for me on the shelf.

Today (Feb. 2020) I read this collection from start to finish, sometimes pausing to stare out the window, my bustling college town under a blanket of snow. It was during nature’s slowness, ignored amid the rush of the people, that I could pause to wrestle with Lamon’s thoughts on pain.

This is a winter book, but read it somewhere warm: by a fire, under a blanket, where a dog will rest on your cold feet. Read it on a full stomach and with a warm cup of tea next to you. You won’t be disappointed. I got trapped in Lamon’s unique cadence and her reflection on pain’s rhythms.

I’m somewhere else now, even though the ground is still covered with snow, and my own dog waits for me to come (like Lamon’s pups await her), my companion’s head ready to bark in my direction.

[Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was originally drawn to Lamon's book because I found one of the Pain poems in a lit journal, and I appreciated the respect that poem seemed to show this concept. I worried, though, that if there were a lot of poems about pain it would become too gimmicky. And, well, it did. When all the poems about pain start to stand together I feel they start to lose subtlety, which makes me feel they are losing pathetic respect for their subject.

[Angie Peng · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot claim to understand every single line or imagery, but with Laurie's poetry it is often sufficient to just enjoy the way her words work to create an atmosphere. The quiet contemplative voice of many poems in this collection invites the reader to see the seemingly mundane in a new meditative perspective, and personally I think this is one of the best things a poet could accomplish.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved hearing Laurie’s voice in my head, the voice that taught me to appreciate poetry. There were only a few poems that I really loved, but I was glad to spend the time in this collection.

[Tim. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's good to finally see Laurie's work in print.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful collection by one of my favorite new poets.

[Tana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurie's voice is sparing. She uses every nuanced breath, the sound of the earth's opening. We're eagerly awaiting the second book.