language is not the only thing that breaks

by Proma Tagore

In this extraordinary debut poetry collection, Proma Tagore's language is not the only thing that breaks explores the junctions between migration, race, the body, and desire. The poems in this book offer spaces to reflect on a variety of interlinking issues: the routes and brutal legacies of European colonization and imperialism; the interrelations between different experiences of migration or displacement and attendant geographies of water, land, place, or home; the politics of globalization, capitalism, settlement, and war; the real and symbolic maps of our many dislocations and journeys and, consequently, our multiply layered memories, dreams, and desires. Amidst the ongoing everyday realities of racism and war that have resulted from long-standing histories of colonization, language is not the only thing that breaks offers small, delicate moments of being―a personal and moving response to a world where many people experience profound levels of dehumanization.

Genres: Poetry

68 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Rowena · Rating 5 out of 5]

“for you to feel the warmth of your grandmother’s touch. for sorrows
that this land keeps to unfold, like the moon, into dreams, to know that even in loss there is living transformation. for us to live, reconnected, and your stories, this poem to have many beginnings.”
— Proma Tagore- last stages of longing

I serendipitously came across this book at the library. I'm always thinking of the impact of language on immigrants, and I often think about how I really shouldn't be living in a cold climate when I am obviously adapted to a warmer, more humid climate. These are just a couple of the thoughts that often cross my mind and Tagore adds several more to her poems. I liked these poems a lot. The poems focus on several themes pertaining to immigration, language, identity, racism etc. Looking forward to reading more of Tagore's work.

[Gurjiv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many pages of lyrical poetry to look back and reflect upon, I loved reading through and connecting with the pieces of language shared between Tagore and I. The exploration of language and displacement were on point, and I feel anyone whose felt disconnected from their land and language will feel some attachment to the pieces on this page. I will definitely keep revisiting and muse deeper on Tagore's poetry that flows majestically through the pages and into your mind and heart.