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Explores the variety of events that occurred during 2020 in a unique way, yet most poems are far too complicated to properly interpret.
This poetry collection is observational and inspirational, challenging the reader to contemplate life, death, passion, and adversity. Race is not left out, as history is revisited with violence, and conciliation embraced.
Time does not follow its usual trajectory in 2020; it passes and moves with a breathtaking difference here.
I am being brutally honest when I say that this collection of poems is confusing. Though there are a few particularly poignant poems which deserve separate attention, I feel like some poems in Time Passes Differently Here are more relevant to the overall theme of the tumultuous 2020 than others.
What I liked is that Zems has constructed quite a challenging read, forcing readers to really focus on the true message behind the lines which is a crucial skill for any talented poet. Each message underlying each individual poem varies and spans from very important themes such as shining a light on the violence sprung from recent racial controversies and tragedies to the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic affecting everyone. There are also certain poems I liked because of how they reflect current times in a very self-aware manner. A World in Disarray and Couch Potatoes In Lockdown I feel are particularly relatable for many and quite honest about the global situation, rather than masking it up with niceties or unnecessary optimism.
I might recommend this to anybody who is looking for some inspiration to get creative with their writing during lockdown. Unfortunately, this book is not for me because, hard as I tried, there were too many individual poems that did not illustrate their point or meaning as clear or coherently as they could have done. Rather than wholly enjoying the author's unique style, I was distracted by the excessive use of ellipses and occasional interruptions in prose. Perhaps these interruptions are intentional and supposed to mimic how our lives have been so rudely interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. However, I liked the poem dedicated to key workers, aptly titled The Chosen. In this poem, the author does not shy away from the reality that in many jobs, especially those in hospitals, these key workers were 'the first to fall' whilst treating infected patients.
Publishing MA and Classics Graduate with books on my mind. If a story really grips me, I am a very fast reader! My editorial specialties are structural and developmental. If you need anything proofreading, I'm your woman.
This poetry collection is observational and inspirational, challenging the reader to contemplate life, death, passion, and adversity. Race is not left out, as history is revisited with violence, and conciliation embraced.
Time does not follow its usual trajectory in 2020; it passes and moves with a breathtaking difference here.
Poems are cities of inspired words
A poem understands
that its words can and will
be used against it in a court of law
where it may be jigsawed
into garments of a new narrative
A poem knows it can be suffocated
And yet… a true poem
readily gives up its right to remain silent
Vivian is an author, poet, and dentist living in North London with a passion for writing. She often crosses genres between fiction and non-fiction, and on her blog, https://smellthecoffeeweb.com, Vivian publishes poems and short stories. This publication will mark her 7th poetry chapbook. view profile
Published on September 06, 2020
5000 words
Genre: Poetry
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